4. there at length by the Apostles the church beganne to be gathered and the worde of the Lord comming out of Sion in a very shorte space spread ouer the whole world Saluation only to be had in the church We are admonished here that saluation is to be fofid only alone in the church a type figure wherof in times past was Ierusalē which was situate vpō moūt Siō famous renowned through the temple of the Lord for that these thinges are not to bee taken litterally or according to the sense of the letter that we should tye the grace of God and our saluation to the terrestriall Sion and Hierusalem it appeareth abundantly by this that Christ called the same citie afterward a denne of theeues and threatened vēgeance vnto it Math. 21.23.24 such as was neuer shewed the like since the foundation of the world These promises therefore ought to be extended to the church in the bosome wherof doe lye safe Luke 19. Psal 48. Psal 84. as many as shall haue recourse vnto it For there the Sparrowes finde a nest and there the Swallowes laye their yong ones because there florisheth the merit of Iesus Christ who offering himselfe on mount Sion for our sinnes hath pacified God his father toward vs. This Church shall alwayes endure howsoeuer the world storme and rage For why it can by no meanes reele or stagger because it is grounded vpon Christ which is the rocke against whom the gates of hell shall neuer preuayle Matt 16. 28. and who hath promised himselfe to be present with vs euen vnto the end of the worlde It behoueth vs therfore to haue an eye vnto these promises if at any time we be tempted and not to measure the stabilitie of the Church or the certaintie of our saluation after the attempts and enterprises of this worlde Saluation belongeth to the elect But wee haue to marke with singular diligence vnto whom that saluation belongeth that God hath prepared in Sion Namely to the remnāts whom the Lord shall call He nameth these expressely to intent he might exclude hypocrites which trust in the merites of their owne workes and to the end he might shewe vnto vs the foundation of saluation only and alone in the grace and fauour of God For wee haue beene all of vs subiect vnto sinne and by reason of sinne to euerlasting damnation Rom. 3. and haue beene destitute of the glory of God in so muche that if the Lorde had not reserued vnto vs certayne small remnants we shoulde haue beene as Sodome and shoulde haue beene like vnto Gomorrha Esay 1. These remnantes hee hath chosen by his euerlasting purpose before this worlde was made and the same moreouer Epes 8. when it pleaseth him hee calleth and being called iustifieth them Rom. 8. and beeing iustified glorifieth them as Paule teacheth To these Dauid consenteth Psa 65. who comprizing the whole order of our saluation in the selfesame heades sayth Wicked deeds haue preuailed agaynst vs But thou wilt be mercifull vnto our transgressions Blessed is hee whom thou choosest and causest to come to thee hee shall dwell in thy courtes and shal be satisfied with the pleasures of thine house euen of thy holy temple For so much therefore as out of the corrupt masse of mankind some are saued that is onely of meere grace by the which wee are elected in Christ and by this it commeth to passe that like as in tunes past when the Tyrant of the Assyrians wasted destroyed all that euer was both far neere God saued his people in Hierusalē euen so in all ages hee deliuereth his out of the snares of the Diuel by the preaching of the Gospel calleth thē into the felowship of his church maketh them partakers of saluatiō in Christ In the meane season the wordes of remnantes reliques betokē the fewenesse of beleeuers which if they be compared with the multitude of the vngodly The fewnesse of the faythful beleeuers may be accounted very few as we are admonished euery where in the scriptures Christ verily calleth his a little flocke he saith that many are indeed called but few chosen which doe passe by the strait gate into the kingdōe of God Luke 12. Math. 20. 22. 7. There is no cause therfore why we should be mooued at this day with the slanders of such as do cast in our teeth the fewnes of thē that beleeue the Gospel gloriously vaūt of the gay shew of their owne party Neither also let vs hearkē vnto those that contēd auouch that euery man may be saued in by his own religiō For in the church onely saluation betideth vnto the elect chosen who being called by the gospel apprehēd embrace Christ Iesus Actes 2. without whō there is no name wherein men may be saued To him therfore be giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Chap. 3. Of the iudgments of God agaynst the enemies of his people Sermon 12. 1 FOr behold in those daies and in that time when I shal bring again the captiuitie of Iuda and Hierusalem 2 I wil also gather al nations and wil bring thē down into the valley of Iehosophat will pleade with thē there for my people and for my heritage Israel whom they haue scattered amōg the nations parted my land 3 And they haue cast lottes for my people and haue giuen the childe for the harlot sold the damosell for wine that they might drinke 4 Yea what haue you to doe with me O Tyrus Sidon al the coastes of Palestina wil ye render me a recōpence if ye recompēce me I wil swiftly and speedily render your recompence vpon your heade 5 For ye haue takē my siluer my gold and haue caried into your Temples my goodly and pleasant thinges 6 The children also of Iuda and the children of Hierusalem haue you sold vnto the Grecians that yee might send thē farre from their borders The argumēt vse of this present place THe Prophet Ioel hath with many argumentes and perswasions comforted the people of his time against the terrours of the Assyrian warre and amongest other thinges he enterlaced a prophesie of Christes kingdome to the end they might vnderstand that God can by no meanes neglect that nation of whom it behooued the promised redeemer of mankinde to be borne who shoulde spreade abroade his kingdome through the whole world And vpon that occasion he entreated of the most perillous estate of the latter time and withall instructed the godly with holesome counsell vnto whom hee promised a most sure hauen refuge of saluatiō in the Church But whilest he propounded these thinges the faith of a number was not a little tempted when they saw the power of the Assyrians to be in a manner inuincible that the neere natiōs had either cōspired or otherwise taken part
restored vs men vnto happines which we had lost by the fall of our first parentes To him therfore be giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 9. The text 23 BE glad then yee children of Sion and reioyce in the Lorde your God for hee hath giuen you a teacher vnto righteousnes and he will cause to come downe vnto you the rayne euen the first rayne and the latter raine in the first moneth 24 And the barnes shall bee full of wheate and the presses shall abound with wine and oyle 25 And I will render you the yeeres that the Grashopper hath eaten the Canker worme and the Caterpiller and the Palmer worme my great hoast whiche I sent amongest you 29 So you shall eate and bee satisfyed and prayse the name of the Lorde your God that hath dealt maruellously with you my people shal neuer be ashamed 27. And you shall knowe that I am in the middest of Israel and that I am the Lorde your God and none other and my people shall neuer be ashamed The argumēt vse of this present place AS men that abounde in peace and ydlenes doe for the moste parte account all things to be cockesure vnto themselues neyther thinke they it euer likely that any aduersitie should happen vnto them So if at any time they perceyue Gods wrath to be kindled and that all thinges beginne to goe agaynst them then by and by casting away all hope they fall to trembling and can hardly bee perswaded with any comfortes This thing the Prophet Ioel did well perceiue and therefore to the doctrine of repentance he adioyneth manifolde matter of consolation wherby he confirmeth thē whom a little before by declaring the danger hee had made afrayd And of late forsooth hee descibed the zeale or ielousie of God who will so graciously receiue them into fauour that turne vnto him that the tokens of his goodnes may be seene euen in the brute beastes them selues and in the very earth But now he applieth all that matter vnto the people whom he doeth not onely comfort but also teach what it becommeth them to doe when by Gods benefite they are deliuered And so hee setteth foorth a generall doctrine what the godly haue to obserue when either they are exercised with aduersitie or finde Gods deliuerance towardes them He willeth the godly to reioyce for the promised deliuerance And first coupling this present place with that that went before he sayth Be glad thē ye children of Sion reioyce in the Lord your God c. As though he shoulde saye Seeing the earth it selfe is to reioyce and the beastes to cast off al feare how much more becōmeth it you to reioyce which are the childrē of Siō to wit of the church which God hath chosen as peculiar to himself for whose sake he blesseth the earth the rest of the creatures And thus he asswageth the sharpnes of the presēt dāger with the promise of ioy to come teacheth that such as are the childrē of the church haue a perpetual cause of reioycing albeit they be beset on euery side with dangers Where notwithstanding wee haue diligentlye to obserue what manner of ioye it is that he inioyneth vnto thē For in as much as he had promised abundance of fruites was to say yet more of that matter some might conceiue in their heartes a carnall ioy and by that occasion breake foorth into all licentiousnes which thing commonly is wont to be the cause of greater misery and mourning Hee sayth therefore Bee glad and reioyce in the Lord your God The godly ought to reioyce in the Lord. and so hee pointeth the cause and matter of their reioycement onely and alone in God whom they should finde fauorable and mercifull vnto them Hee putteth therefore a feate distinction betwixt men and beastes For these because they can conceiue no further he willed to reioyce in the happy forzon of the earth and in the abundance of fodder but men hee sendeth vnto God the fountaine and giuer of all goodnes After the same manner the Apostle willeth the faythful to reioyce in the Lord Phil. 3.4 which is diligently to be obserued if at any time we feele our prosperitie to encrease For then they that beeing mindefull of the Lord theyr God doe reioyce in him alone the same also doe compasse about their ioy with the feare and reuerence of God least it should breake forth into the libertie of the flesh yea they so much the more earnestlye giue themselues vnto godlynesse by howe much they feele the clearer testimonies of Gods goodnes towardes them As for the vngodly it is not so with them for they like brute beastes doe sticke onely in thinges present and filthily abuse the same with the losse of theyr saluation But the Prophet goeth on He declareth the causes of their ioye and declareth more diligently the causes of this holy reioycement The first is because he hath giuen you a teacher vnto righteousnesse The Hebrue word signifieth both a teacher and rayne For as it behooueth the earth to bee watered with rayne so is it necessarye that the riuers of heauenlye doctrine should flowe into the mindes of men being otherwise barren and out of kilter to the end they may be made fitte for those thinges that are prescribed vnto vs of the Lord. Whether it belongeth that God compareth his worde in Esay to the rayne Esay 55. But the Prophet vseth a doubtfull worde because he would allude to the calamitie of the present warre which like vnto a sodeine storme of rayne ouerflowed the whole land And he telleth them that this was sent from GOD not that they should perish but that they should be instructed hereby vnto righteousnes and bee made more ware and circumspecte heereafter For as we sayd in the beginning the Iewes vnder Ezechias a most excellent and godly prince sinned diuers wayes when as they both followed a most dissolute trade of life and also cleane contrary to the threatnings of the prophets trusted to the league of the Egyptians Therefore God sent vnto them the Assyrians to the intent that beeing by them driuen into extreeme hazard they might bee taught howe vayne and hurtfull and that confidence is which is reposed in the externall helpes The Prophet therefore biddeth them to reioyce for this very cause that God by such afflictions vouchsafed to instruct them whom hee might haue altogether destroyed if hee would haue vsed his owne aduantage These thinges teache vs what we ought to iudge of the afflictions wherewith God exerciseth vs. Afflictions are as teachers vnto righteousnes They are as Teachers which instruct vs vnto righteousnesse For when all thinges fall out as we would wish we become more careles in the things that concerne our dueties neyther also doe wee apply our mindes vnto those pointes that are taught vs by the woorde of God Wee haue neede therefore of
wee saide euen nowe there appeare great store of them in these dayes It shall bee our partes to be mooued with these thinges and to flie vnto Christe Iesus who will giue saluation to all that call vpon his name as shall bee saide in the Sermon folowing To him bee giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 11. 32 BVt whosoeuer shall call on the name of Lorde shall bee saued The text for in mount zion and in Ierusalem shal be deliuerance as the Lorde hath saide and in the remnant whome the Lorde shall call The argumeÌ„t vse of this present place OVr Lord Iesus Christis the vniuersal redeemer not only of those that after his incarnatioÌ„ beleeued in him but also of all those that imbracing the auncient promises haue reposed the hope and confidence of their saluation in him alone This hee himselfe witnesseth when as hee saith that Abraham saw his day Ioan. 8. Apoc. 13. and reioyed in it And Iohn calleth him the Lambe of God which was staine from the beginning of the worlde that is whose merit reacheth vnto all those that haue euen from the first beginning of the worlde beleeued in him Therefore all the Prophetes are wont to prophesie of Christe and in him they fixe the foundation of all other promises This thing doth Ioel also For after hee had promised that God woulde deliuer his people from the handes of the Assyrians foorthwith by way of confirmation hee addeth an euident prophesie of Christe who hauing accomplished the worke of our redemption shoulde sende foorth his spirite spreade abrod his kingdome by the Gospell vnto all nations But because also hee foresaw the wickednesse of the Iewes and other people wherof the greater part despiseth and retecteth Christ hee denounced vnto these likewise gods wrath horrible punishmentes Heereunto nowe he annexeth the third part of this prophesie wherein hee instructeth those that are desirous to escape the sayde dangers and withall in fewe words comprehendeth the whole order of our saluation Where appeareth a wonderfull token of Gods goodnes who in the middest of our afflictions doth so mercifully shewe vnto vs a way of escaping For the selfesame thing doth Moses in the Law Leuit. 26. Deut. 30.32 where after most grecuous threatninges hee addeth a comfortable doctrine as touching the true conuersion vnto God Luk. 21. 1. Tim â— c The like order doe the Prophets obserue and also Christ and the Apostles when as they entreate of the most trouble some state of the latter times It shall be our parts therefore to acknowledge this fatherly care of God for vs and to obey his precepts c. The waye whereby men may prouide for theÌ„selues in aduersitie But as touching the wordes of the Prophet first he teacheth the maner and waye wherebye men may prouide for themselues among so greate dangers saying But whosoeuer shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saued And so hee knitteth this senâ—â—â—â—e with that which went before in so much that it is to bee taken not without a singuler force and emphasis For it is all one as if he had sayd Howsoeuer the whole world is troubled and the signes of Gods wrath do euery where appeare yet these things oght by no means to abash the godly For whosoeuer in the meane time shal cal vpon the name of the Lord shal find him to be their deliuerer redeemer Paule citeth this place in a cause of great weight Rom. 10 where hee auoucheth the calling of the Gentiles against the Iewes wherefore euery part thereof is deligently to be discussed of vs. First let vs see to whom this way and maner of saluation is prescribed The way of saluation is promised vniversally to all that embrace it But sayth he whosoeuer shall call on the name of the Lord. c. This promise therefore reacheth vnto al so far forth that neither the difference of nation nor sexe nor state or degree shal exclude or debarre any So Paule expoundeth this place when as by it he proueth the calling of the Gentiles and teacheth that the preaching of the Gospel belongeth also vnto them For hee sayth There is no difference either of Iewe or Grecian For there is one Lord of al riche vnto all that call vpon him For whosoeuer shall cal on the name of the Lord shal be saued And in another place Glory honour and peace to euery one that doeth good to the Iewe first Rom. 2. also to the Grecian For there is no respect of persons with God Whether also belongeth that saying of Peter speaking to like effect I perceiue in very deede that there is no respect of persons with God Act. 10. but in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnes is accepted of him Yea and the Scripture also maketh the promises of saluation vniuersal to the end that euery man may apply the same vnto himselfe and conceiue by them a sure and certaine hope of saluation These thinges do commend and set foorth the goodnes and bounty of God and bring with them a most effectuall comfort in temptations and withall doe admonish vs of our duetie that wee also without any enuious respect of persons should embrace those with Christian loue and charitie whome the fellowship of one fayth hath ioyned knit together with vs The way of saluation is assigned to inuocation and vpon whom God poureth forth his fauour with so great liberalitie Secondarily hee sheweth what those should doe that desire to be saued when hee sayth They that call vpon the name of the Lord. Hereunto agreeth the whole Scripture which assigneth vnto vs euery where the port of saluation in the calling vpon and inuocation of the Lord. Certes the Lord himselfe in the Psalmes sayth Psal 50. 145 and 34. Call vpon mee in the daye of thy trouble and I will deliuer thee Also He is neere vnto all that call vpon him And agayne The eyes of the Lorde are ouer the righteous and his eares are open vnto their prayers Saluation therefore is to be sought for from without vs and nothing to be attributed vnto mans strength For if it were either in our selues or might bee attained by our owne strength wee shoulde then haue no neede of inuocation For seeing inuocation belongeth onely vnto God it remayneth that all sauing health is to be sought and hoped for in him alone SaluatioÌ„ is attributed vnto inuocation by reasoÌ„ of faith Howbeit wee must marke that saluation is promised to inuocation not for the very woorke of prayer but rather for the faythe 's sake out of which true inuocation springeth Paule giueth an inkling of this when to the same effect he inferreth Howe shall they call vpon him in whom they haue not beleeued For as none craueth ayde of a man vnlesse hee be perswaded that hee both can and will help him so no man calleth vpon God
that hath not alreadye conceyued an vndoubted hope and assurance of his wil and power This the Prophet meaneth when as hee plainely expresseth the maner of inuocation For why he doeth not simply require them to call vpon the Lord him selfe but vpon the name of the Lord teaching thereby The maner confidence of praying what the true maner of praying is and whence the confidēce of prayer ought to be conceiued for in very deede God hath no name whereby his nature may be comprehended or declared In consideration whereof to Iacob in times past enquiring after his name hee sayde Why askest thou for my name Genes 32. And to Moses demaunding the same question hee answered I am that I am Exod. 3. Wherefore the Scripture speaking of God after the fashion of men calleth all that his name whereby he may be knowne as namely his goodnes mercy truth wisedome omnipotencie iustice and if there be any other titles like vnto these which are partely gathered out of his word and partly out of his workes This thing God himself teacheth whē as to Moses desirous to see him he heapeth vp a sort of words whereby hee described his owne nature saying The Lord the Lord Exod. 34. strong merciful and gratious slow to anger and abundant in goodnes and truth reseruing mercy for thousandes forgiuing iniquitie transgression sinne and not making the wicked innocent visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vpon childrens children c. But for as much as all these thinges are found especially in the sonne of God Heb. 1. Iesus Christ who is therfore called the brightnes of his glory and the expresse image of his substance the same also is the verye true name of GOD in and by which inuocation ought to be made Of this thing God himselfe admonisheth when as he witnesseth of him from heauen Mat. 3.17 That he is his dearely beloued sonne in whom he is well pleased And he himselfe in the Gospell when he had sayd that he was the way by whiche wee come vnto the father immediately addeth Ioan. 14.16 Verily I say vnto you whatsoeuer ye shall aske the father in my name he will giue it vnto you Heb. 14.4 For which cause Paul affirmeth the same to be our altar by whom we may offer vp the sacrifice of praise yea and he testifieth that by him we haue accesse and entrance to the throne of grace Wherupon also that most ancient vsage of the Church preuailed whereby prayers for the most part are ended in the name of Christ Whilest therefore the prophet willeth vs to cal vpon the name of the Lord he inioyneth no other thing thē fayth in Christ which both commendeth vs vnto God and also maketh our prayers graceful and acceptable vnto him But he expresseth this fayth by the name of inuocation least we should imagine a dumbe and ydle faith These thinges serue for our consolation doe meruellously confirme our confidence in praying For albeit we are vnwoorthie as we must needes confesse that God should heare vs yet cannot he passe ouer our praiers with deafe eare when wee bring before hun his sonne Christ 1. Corin. 1. which of him is made vnto vs righteousnes and satisfaction The fruite of the inuocatiō of fayth This confidence is encreased by the fruit of inuocation which the Prophet addeth in the thirde place For hee sayeth Whosoeuer calleth on the name of the Lorde shall be saued or deliuered Hee vseth the word of sauing or deliuering to the end he might shew that saluation should happen euen vnto those also that seemed alreadie to be vtterly perished yea and quite fallen frō al hope There are many exāples of this sort to be found For hither belongeth that which is written of the children of Israel trying out at the redde Sea with infinite thinges beside Exod. 14. that happened vnto them whilest they were in the wildernes And in the time of the Iudges wee reads that they were heard and deliuered as ofte as they cryed vnto the Lorde Psal 107. Dauid in like manner as hee confesseth himselfe to be hearde oftentimes so heapeth hee togither very many examples of them whome God deliuered when they called for his ayde But especially this ought to be transferred to the safetie and prefernation of soules the certainetie whereof is here proued and declared for they that faithfully call vpon God through Christ receiue in him remission of their sinnes But where sinnes ceasse or bee abolished there the wrath and punishmentes of God which flowe from sinnes must of necessitie ceasse likewise Whereupon true and perfect safetie followeth which hath no maner of neede of any thing to be added to it These thinges teach vs what we ought to doe at this day The tokens of Gods wrath doe euery where appeare and all sortes of calamities breake in on euery side which Christ and the Apostles foretolde should come to passe in the last time Many there be that acknowledge these things and consult by what meanes the dangers may be auoyded But how vayne their consultations are which chalenge to thēselues the chiefe prayse of wisdome the euent and successe of thinges doeth abundantlye prooue Let vs therefore omitting our owne reasons and deuices goe that waye to woorke whiche the holy Ghoste prescribeth in this place For in as muche as it leaneth vppon the promise of GOD who is the truth it selfe wee can by no meanes erre or goe astraye Let vs acknowledge our sinnes and casting away all confidence of our owne woorkes let vs implore and call for the grace of God alone through Christ Iesus who as he hath reconciled his father vnto vs so also woorketh hee true repentance in those whome hee regenerateth by his spirit c. A confirmation of the promise comprehending the whole order of saluation But he maketh a further confirmation of that which he sayd when he addeth For in mount Sion and in Hierusalem shal be deliuerance as the Lord hath sayd that is to say albeit the church may seeme euen now to be vtterly perished yet in Siō shall saluation be had there agayne shal bee gathered togither the remnantes whiche the Lord hauing chosen from euerlasting shall call by his Gospell as he hath promised And these promises are euery where extant in the prophets God doubtlesse had sayd to Dauid as touching Hierusalem that the same should be his rest Psal 123. Esay 10. concerning the remnantes to be saued Esay expressely speaketh And to these certes the histories agree very well For this war of the Assyrians being ended the church vnder Ezechias florished notably by the space of fifteen yeres together Further albeit the people falling againe vnto wickednes their citie was of the Chaldeans together with their temple vtterly burned and consumed yet after they they were returned from Babilon they builded agayn and reedified their citie and temple Esay 2. Mich.
our ancient friendship right worshipful syr that you would vouchsafe with your accustomed fauour to accept this slender significatioÌ„ of my good wil and affection towarde you wherin if any thing be amisse you shal attribute al that to the loue that I beare you to the remembrance of our ancient familiaritie Farewell Yeouen at Tigury the xvii of August in the yeere of the incarnation of the sonne of God Iesus Christ 1560. At what time two thousand two hundred nienty and one yeeres past Ioel executed the office of teaching God miraculously deliuered his church out of the iawes of the Assyrian tyrant He graunt that the same also amongest vs in Germany maye bee preserued safe and sound Amen ¶ The Argument of the Prophet THe Prophet Ioel first rebuketh them of Iudah that being nowe punished with a great plague of famine and scarcitie remayned still obstinate Secondly he threateneth greater plagues because they grewe dayly to a more hardnes of heart and rebellion against God notwithstanding his punishments Thirdly he exhorteth them to repentance shewing that yt must bee earnest and proceede from the heart because they had grieuously offended God And so doing bee promiseth that God will be mercifull not forget his couenant that he made with their fathers but will sende his Christ who shall gather the scattered sheepe and restore them to life and libertie though they seemed to be dead CHAP. 1. 1. A prophesie against the Iewes 2. He exhorteth the people to prayer and fasting for the miserie that was at hand 1. The worde of the Lorde that came to Ioel the sonne of Pethuel The text 2. Heare ye this O Elders and hearké ye al inhabitants of the land whether such a thing hath been in your daies or yet in the dayes of your fathers 3. Tel your children of it and let your children shew to their children and their children to another generation 4. That whiche is left of the Palmer worme hath the Grashopper eaten and the residue of the Grashopper hath the Canker worme eaten and the residue of the Canker worme hath the Caterpiller eaten Sermon 1. WHo Ioel the sonne of Pethuel was The authoritie of Ioel. is no where expressed in the holy scriptures Norwithstanding that his credite and authoritie was great it appeareth by the firste sermon of the Apostle Peter Actes 2. wherin he vseth the testimonie of Ioel against the blasphemous scorners of the holy Ghost and proueth that his sending down was promised and prophesied of long before Again Paul alleadgeth the selfesame Prophet Roâ— 10. when he disputeth of the chiefe and principal points of our faith and saluation But when and in what time he prophesied The time the opinion of the interpreters are diuers sundry I for my part agree with them that deeme him to haue flourished in the time of Esay the prophet and to haue executed the office of teaching in the kingdom of Iuda euen theÌ„ verily when as that most bloody warre first begaÌ„ which we reade was holden by Sennacharib the tyraÌ„t of The assyrians agaynst Ezechias For albeit the same Eezechias had restored the true seruice worship of God 2. King 18. 2. Cro. 29.30.31 yet notwithstanding as we may see in Esay there wanted not some which laboured to keep still their old superstitions withall brake forth by vnbrydeled libertie into all kind of sinne wickednes Hereunto was added the Egyptian league or couenaÌ„t Esay 30.31 into which Ezechias beeing otherwise a most excellent religious prince was drawen through the crafty conueiance of some Insomuch that such was then the conditioÌ„ of the Iewishe kingdome as is nowe adayes for the most parte the state of the Churche vnder Christian Magistrates when as some stand openly in defence of superstitioÌ„s other some vnder pretence of the gospel liue too too licentiously Esay 36.37 repose their whole trust coÌ„sideÌ„ce in the help of maÌ„ Which was the cause that God sent vnto them the Assyrians to destroy the ingrate vnthankful rebels to the intent they might learne by experience of their owne calamitie to submit theÌ„selues vnto God The argumeÌ„t of the prophet that had hitherto ouer malapertly despised his word Neuertheles he sent his prophets before to admonish them of the danger to come and the same being nowe at hand to comfort instruct the people in the doctrine of repeÌ„tance amongst whoÌ„ is Ioel numbred who inueigheth against sinne not so seuerely in deede as the rest commonly are wont to do inasmuch as they were nowe rather to be taught and comforted then chidden and rebuked but with singular grauity he recouÌ„teth vnto them what they had hitherto suffered and what they were like hereafter to suffer Further he sheweth them the way to escape to be repentance the whole order and maner whereof hee diligently declareth Last of all least any should be offended with the prosperous successes of the eâ—emies of God he foretelleth vnto them also their punishments and vpon that occasion prophesieth of Christes kingdome and of the happie instauration thereof And these thinges he accomplisheth altogether in two Sermons wherof the former summarily compreheÌ„deth whatsoeuer serueth to the denouncing of the punishments and the course of repentance the other declareth the selfe same thinges more at large together with those pointes that belong to the punishments of the enemies and the promised kingdome of Christ And in these thinges forsooth conmeth the wonderfull goodnes of God to be considered who punisheth not euen those that are most wicked vngodly except he first admonisheth theÌ„ before Yea and hee so layeth his plagues vpon them that in the meane time he hath a speciall consideration of his owne whom he susteyneth with fatherly comfortes for why looke what he did long a goe in the time of the Prophets and the selfe same vs wee feele also to bee true by experience in these dayes Would God we might as wel remember our dueties and not by our incurable stubburnnes against God willingly and willingly plucke destruction upon our owne heads The title of the prophesie Furthermore these thinges being thus premised let vs goe in hand with the words of the Prophet who according to the common maner of the Prophets prefixeth a title to his prophesie in this sorte The woorde of the Lorde that came to Ioel the sonne of Pethuel In these wordes he both auoucheth his calling and also procureth authoritie to his doctrine least they shoulde thinke him to vtter foorth the conreytes or dreames of his own braine This thing the Prophets are accustomed euery where to doe by reason of the boldenesse of the wicked with whome it is a verye common and ordinarye matter to seeke on euery side occasions whereby they may call the doctrine that reproueth them into question and bryng it into batted Against whiche men there can no other authoritie more ryghtly or conueniently be obiected then
no man ought to bee carelesse as though hee him selfe were no parte or cause thereof For albeeit some sinne more greeuously then other yet is no man altogether without fault yea and it commeth commonly to passe by the sinnes of the people that eyther wicked princes are giuen vnto them which bring all thinges out of order by their desperate counsayle or els that there is no good done by the holesome coūsailes of the best and most godly princes Euery one therfore ought to enter into thēselues and to bewayle not onely the common calamitie but also their sinnes wherby they haue caused it and to seeke the amendement of them which is the very best and onely way whereby they maye prouide both for the safety of themselues and of that which they haue Hee prouoketh the drunkardes first to mourning But let vs come to the wordes of the Prophet who beginning with the Drunkards exhorteth thē first of all to mourne namely because they were the chiefe and principal authors of al the miserie For it is euident by the sermons of Esay and Micheas Esa 5.28.56 Mich. 2. that at that time drunkennesse reigned in all sortes and degrees of men both high and lowe yea and euen in the priestes and Prophets them selues Heereby it came to passe that the Peeres of the realme neglected the common wealth the Priestes dealt carelesly in their office the Prophets by their flattering and fond sermons hardened the wicked more and more and the people as well by their own intemperance as also prouoked by the example of the states ranne headlong without checke into all kind of sinne and abomination The Prophet therefore doth not without a cause range them first of all in aray and applieth his speech very fittingly to their maners Awake saith he yee drunkards and weepe howle all yee drinkers of wine c. For why Drunkards and winebibbers are wont to spend the greatest part of their time in slouthfull sleepe and although they somtimes wake yet differ they little from sleepers sith they haue no certainetie of any thing and want the vse both of reason and senses Moreouer they sleepe securely in their sinnes they reioyce in them yeathey fill al thinges with their mad musicke and frantike iollitie and outrage in all kinde of wanconnesse Now therefore the Prophet willeth them to awake to weepe and to howle intending thereby to vpbrayde them with these their wicked maners and conditions As though hee shoulde saye Yee haue slept hitherto through stitch O yee drunken rioters Esay 50 in whose feastes that I may vse the wordes of Esay are the harpe and viole timbrell and pipe but in the meane time yee haue not regarded the worke of the Lord Amos. 6. nay as Amos saith ye would seeme to be like vnto Dauid and yet could he nothing at al preuaile with you by his godly admonitions But now is it time as I suppose that you also should awake and fall to weeping For albeit the publike calamitie of the whole nation doe not as yet mooue yee yet at leaste mourne for the liquor of life which is pluckt awaye from your mouth By liquor he vnderstandeth nothing else then wine but yet he would vse this word to the intent hee might taunt the scurrilitie of the Drunkardes which are wont to giue sundrye and vnusuall names to their wine that euē by that means they might testifie their vnsatiable loue of wine Exāples of this lightnes we haue ouer many with vs euery day to be seen But he teacheth thē by this means that they should euen now be compelled in spight of their teeth to become more sober when as God had taken from them this liquor wherewith they had hitherto beene ouermuch moystend and made frolicke Neither wanteth it great force in that he saith it is pluckt from their mouth to shew that all hope was now quite gone from them seeing that God had smitten the very cuppes out of their hands which they were euen now about to set to their lippes And to the end hee might the better rouze them vp hee layeth before them a description of the enemies and of the desolation by them made very fearefull and terrible saying For a nation commeth vpon my land a nation I say mightie and without number whose teeth are like the teeth of a Lyon c. And by teeth he signifieth the inuincible strength and we apons of the Assyrians such as are in the teeth and iawes of Lions very incredible That nation maketh my Vine waste pilleth off the barke of my fygtree c. In which wordes he signifieth a more thē ordinary crueltie of the enemies who not contented to haue wreaked their fury vpon the bodies of men and to haue spoyled the fruites nowe layde vp in the fielde and left still on the trees should exercise their crueltie also euen vppon the land it selfe and vppon the very trees that all commoditie of dwelling in that lande might quite be taken from those that had happily escaped their handes Neither doeth God say without a cause that these thinges were done in his land in his vineyarde in his figtree that so he might teach them that hee woulde neuer haue suffred these thinges to come to passe except their wickednesse had enforced him which had hitherto prophaned that lande that ought to be consecrated to him alone and the very seate of his true worship Wee are admonished therefore by this example The punishment of drunkards c. howe common drunkardes and vnthankefull wasters of Gods benefites are like to speede These men are wonte by their intemperate liuing to seeke for prayse and glory and as though they were borne to consume the good fruites of the earth they deuoure all things throughe their vnsatiable throates Thus doing they abuse GOD himselfe with horrible blasphemie whose giftes they shamefully waste and consume They are well worthye therefore to bee plagued at Gods hande eyther with tempestes or with sundrye sortes of wormes and vermine and at the length with most cruell enemies that the fruites of the earth beeing taken away they may either hunger and thirst or els hee flaine downe to rightes altogether For it is much better that wine and all manner of fruites perishe at once and that the lande it felfe be made waste and desolate then that there shoulde be giuen matter and occasion to these filthy hogges of Epicures hearde whereby to offende both against the common comlines of maners and also against the Glory of GOD himselfe without ceassing The Prophets foretolde that these thinges shoulde happen vnto them but they woulde not beleeue them That therefore came to passe which loel rehearseth in this place and they that before woulde not heare the Prophet were afterwarde compelled to heare Rabsaketh who with most shamefull woordes casting in their teeth the hunger that they suffred in the time of the siege sayde Esay 36. Am I not sente to these caytifes that keepe
prouoke Gods wrath so muche the more against vs. Let vs remember therefore that wee haue so to mourne in the time of our troubles that we may diligentlye obserue the causes of them and be vnfeignedly grieued for that same through faith to Godward which grief or sorrow as Paul sayth causeth repentance to saluation 2. Cor. 7. not to bee repented of For it bringeth vs to Christ Iesus who as he reconcileth vs to God his father so doth he prepare vs to euery good worke that finally hauing escaped all the miseries of this world we may reigne with hun for euer in heauen To him therefore bee giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 3. The text 13 GIrde your selues and lament yee Priests howleye Ministers of the altar Come and lye all night in sackecloth yee ministers of my God for the meate offering and the drinke offering is taken away from the house of your God 14 Sanctifie you a fast call a solemne assemblie gather the elders and all the inhabitantes of the land into the house of the Lord your God and crie vnto the Lorde The argumeÌ„t vse of this present place IOel the Prophet is wholy occupied in this namely that hee might rouze vp the people of his time whome the dangets of The Assyrian warre on euery side oppressed to repentance Which to the intent hee might the better bring to passe hee beginneth with the description of the punishments which being amplisted with a diligent rehearsall of all the circumstances he layeth before them and this he doeth partly to shewe that the euils whiche they had hytherto suffered came not at all aduenture but were sente of GOD and partly to prooue that repentance and conuertion vnto GOD was verye requisite and necessarie for them For why men are wont commonly to fayle in these two pointes that first they acknowledge not the hande of GOD in afflicting them but perswade themselues that all thinges come to passe by chaunce or at haphazarde Whereupon straight wayes followeth the other namely that they thinke they haue no neede of repentaunce Which two thinges forasmuch as they reigne euerye where nowe adayes the diligence of the Prophete which hee presently vseth ought by no meanes to bee deemed superfluous for to these hee adioyneth nowe the doctrine of repentance to the which hee duely exhorteth them and in fewe woordes comprehendeth all those things which whysest wee bee chastized of God are necessary of vs to bee obserued and done The priests by their own example ought to be guides vnto other to repentance But hee beginneth with the Priestes whome hee admonisheth that they would become leaders of the people to repentance For hee saith Gyrde your selues and lament yee Priestes howle yee Ministers of the altar that is to say you whome God hath appointed to bee administers of the Sacrifices and of the whole outwarde seruice Come to wit into the temple neither put yee on your solemne and mysticall garments but apparrell your selues with sackcloth and lye there all night O ye Ministers of my God And hee willeth them to put on sackcloth after the custome and maner of the people of the East who were wont in theyr greatest heauinesse and in the time of their publike repentance to change their garmentes to vse a more streighter kind of weede and more fitte to mourne withall But the end of all is this that they should not onelye require repentaunce of others as though they themselues were voyde of all blame but rather to bee the first that should returne vnto God to become guides vnto other in returning to him whome before by their negligence they estranged from him And hee alleadgeth the selfesame cause as before when hee addeth Because the meate offering and drinke offâ—ring is taken away from the house of your God And hee addeth weight vnto the cause in that hee calleth them the Ministers of the Altar and of God himselfe For if so bee the religion and worship of God bee highly to bee tendred euen of priuate persons howe muche more then ought the same to be regarded of those whom God himselfe hath made Presidents of religion and which liue by the ministerie thereof The dutie of the chiefe peeres in common calamities But from hence wee haue to gather a generall doctrine that as well the Ecclesiasticall as Temporall Magistrates when publike calamities are at hande ought firste of all to be thinke them of repentaunce and to goe before others by theyr example For although GOD punisheth also the offences of the common people yet for the most part is the sinne of the Magistrates and Prelates more grieuous who oftentimes eyther through negligence doe foreslowe their office or els doe offende others by their most perillous example Whereby it commeth to passe that in euery of their sinnes is a manyfolde giltinesse For they bothe transgresse the commaundemente of GOD and neglect the saluation of those whome GOD hath committed to their charge and besides are the authours of offence which is so muche the more greeuous and hurtfull as it taketh more weight by their authoritie As therefore they ought more carefully to bethynke them of reconciliation with GOD for their own saluations sake so is it meete and conuenient that they shoulde giue example of repentaunce to the very same whome before they offended by their example Whereupon wee may gather that they doe worst of all prouide for theyr owne and for the Publike welfare which least they shoulde seeme at any time to haue doone amisse perseuer and goe forwarde in theyr purpose of sinning and so weene they onely their honour and dignitie may bee prouided for if they admit no mans warninges or admonition But heere must wee obserue also that the Ministers of the woorde haue receyued this commaundemente from GOD himselfe It is lawefull for Ministers to admonishe and reprooue the Magistrates that they shoulde no lesse prouoke suche to repentaunce then the base and common people This doeth Ioel heere in this place and that hee dyd well therein it may appeare by those woordes whiche the Lorde speaketh vnto Ieremie Beholde this day daye doe I make thee a defenced Citie Iere. 1. an yron pyller and a brazen wall against the whole lande against the kinges of Iuda and againste the Princes thereof againste the Priestes and against the people of the whole land Loe euen to Kinges Princes and Priestes ought Ieremie to preache whom it is euidente to haue preached no other thing then repentance namely that forsaking their sinnes they should turne vnto GOD and bee made partakers of saluation in Christ This selfe same thing obserued the reste of the Prophetes as in theyr Sermons is to bee seene And that there is no other order of teaching prescribed in the Newe Testament the precepte of Christe declareth who commaundeth the Gospell to bee preached to all people of all sortes and degrees Mark 16. Luke
pasture yea and the flocks of sheepe are destroyed The meaning is that such and so great is the force of Gods wrath that the sense thereof is come euen to the bruite and sauage beastes The beastes mourne in the woods for huÌ„ger The wilde Harts bray for want of waters The hungerstarued Oxen wote not which way to turne them The sheepe for want of pasture are scattered abroade And are not you ashamed in the meane time not to acknowledge the hande of Gods wrath neither as yet mourne ye for your sins wherebye you haue deserued this so greate a miserie But that which the prophet vpbraydeth this people withall is nowe adayes too too common and vsuall And this is a great token of mans corruption All creatures feele and perceiue the blessing of the Lorde they reioyce in it and are thankefull vnto God their good benefactour whilest they constantly execute and discharge their duties The same mourne and are greeued when God is angrie For euen the bruite beastes doe percetue Gods wrath and bewaile it the signes and tokens heereof appeare in all the Elements yea and this whole frame of the world being greeued with the weight of our sinnes and malediction Rom. 8. groneth and wayteth for deliuerance Onely man neither acknowledgeth God his benefactour nor yet perceiueth his wrath and scourges but as a blocke onely poareth and poddreth about seconde causes For although hee desire to bee deliuered from euils and is greeued for them yet doth hee very seldome thinke of GOD and of his sinnes whereby hee hath proudked his wrath Let vs hee ashamed therefore of this vnthriftinesse and let vs bee inflamed with the studie of the woorde whiche alone is able to cure this maladie Heerewithall the Prophet nowe interlaceth his owne example He stirreth theÌ„ vp by his owne exaÌ„ple and whilest hee telleth them what he himselfe will doe hee admonisheth them also what they ought to doe I will cry vnto thee O Lord saith he As though hee should say Let them do as they list if they will let theÌ„ with their blockishnes exceed euen the very bruit beastes themselues yet shall they neuer cause me to fayle in my duetie For I will crye vnto the Lorde that hee may both giue them a better minde and also mercifully remoue these calamities And heere againe hee repeateth the selfe same causes to the intent he might both stirre vp himself the more and also reproue them once againe for their blockishnesse For the fire hath consumed the pastures of the wildernesse the flame hath burnt vp all the trees of the fielde And in these wordes he betokeneth the rage of the enemies or rather the horrible vengeance of God which should shew foorth it self euen in wilde and desert places But we are admonished by the example of the prophet that Bishops and Ministers ought to pray continually for the people committed to their charge so long as they be not forbidâ—en by the expresse coÌ„mandement of God as once Ieremie was Ier. 7.11.14 For why it doth not easily appeare vnto vs who they are that sinne against the holy Ghost 1. Ioan. 5. therefore vnmeete to bee prayed for And the greater that mens blockishnesse is in not acknowledging theyr miserie so much the more feruently haue wee to labour to prouide for their health and safetie Moses obserued this thing Exod. 32.33 who neuer ceased to pray for the Israelites although they oftentimes offended in the selfesame maner The same did Samuel for the children of Israel 1. Sam. 8 1â— not withstanding that the Lorde had saide vnto him They haue not reiected thee but me because I should not raigne ouer them And the Apostle Paule prayed for the Iewes day and night Rom. 10. when as hee had none gricuouser enemies then they This duetie ought also to bee transferred vnto other states and degrees as Magistrates fathers of families and whosoeuer t is haue any charge inioyned them of the Lorde Let these also doe their duetie so long as occasion ferueth though they see that they litle preuaple There will once bee a tyme when they shall see them selues to haue profited more then they woulde thinke But if all other thinges fayle Eze. 3.33 at least they shall deliuer their owne soules c. The beastes cry vnto the Lorde Last of all hee repeateth that which hee had saide of the beastes crying vnto the Lorde As though hee shoulde say Why shoulde not I crie when as the very beastes are inforced to crie from whome this destruction haue taken away not onely the pastures but also the riuers and fountaines of wateres The bruite beasts are saide to crye vnto GOD when as by their braying or roaring they testifie that they haue neede of Gods prouidence So doe the young Rauens forsaken of their dammes crie vnto the Lord for help Iob. 38. Psalm 47. Luk. 12. when as they are fed with the deawe of heauen And this consideration of Gods proiudence is very full of comfort whiche extendeth it selfe euen vnto beastes and withal it reproueth the detestable distrustfulnesse of men who refuse to depende upon God though his fatherly care towardes vs doe on euery side appeare Let these thinges therefore serue for our instruction also as touching the matter of repentance whereof is presently entreated And albeit wee see due plagues for our sinnes hanging ouer vs alreadie yet let vs not despaire of Gods goodnes but turne vnto him with our whole harts For hee that heareth the voyces of Rauens crying vnto him and the waylinges of hungrie beastes cannot neglect vs vnto whome hee hath giuen free accesse to the throne of his grace by our Lorde Iesus Christe to whome bee giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen CHAP. II. Hee prophesieth of the comming and crueltie of their enemies 13. An exhortation to moue them to conuert 18. The loue of God towardes his people 1 BLowe the trumpet in Zion and shout in my holy mountaine The text let all the inhabitants of the lande tremble for the day of the Lorde is come for it is at hand 2 A day of darknesse and of blackenesse a day of cloudes and obscuritie as the morning spreade vpon the mountaines so is there a great people mightie the like where of was not from the beginning neither shal be after it vnto the yeeres of many generations 3 Before his face is a deuouring fire behind him the flame shall burne vp the lande is as the garden of Eden before him and behinde him a desolate wildernesse so that nothing shall eseape him 4 The beholding of him is like the sight of horses and like the horsemen so shall they runne 5 Like the noyse of charrets in the cops of the mountaines shall they leape like the noyse of a flame of fire that deuoureth the stubble as a mightie people prepared to the battell 6 Before his face shall the people tremble
all faces shall gather blacknes 7 They shall runne like gyants or strong men and goe vp to the wall like men of warre and euery man shall goe forwarde in his wayes and shall not stay in their pathes 8 No man shall thrust his brother but euery one shal walke in his path and when they fall vpon the sworde they shall not be wounded 9 They shall runne to and fro in the citie they shall runne vppon the wall they shall clime vp vppon the houses and enter in at the windowes like a theefe 10 The earth shall tremble before him the heauens shall shake the Sunne and the Moone shall be darke and the Starres shall withdrawe their shining 11 And the Lorde shall vtter his voyce before his host for his armie is very great for hee is strong that doeth his woorke for the day of the Lorde is great and very terrible and who can abide it Sermon 5. The argumeÌ„t of the second Sermon IOel beginneth now his other Sermon wherein hee handleth the same that he did in the former but hee intreateth more largely and euidently of euery point adding also some things which are not there mentioned yet serue they excelleÌ„tly wel to the preseÌ„t treatise For he exhorteth them to repentance that were oppressed with a greeuous warre by the Assyrians And there are three partes of his discourse In the first hee agayne describeth the danger to the entent that they beeing wakened by the consideration therof might perceiue that they had neede of repentance In the seconde hee teacheth the maner of true repentance and sheweth in what pointes it consisteth In the last hee declareth the effectes or fruites thereof and by that occasion prophesieth of the happie state of the Godly and destruction of the enemies which finally is fulfilled in the kingdome of Christ Now these things are so to bee considered of vs that wee beeing distressed with aduersities and afflictions may from hence fetch those thinges that serue to our instruction and comforce at this time wee will onely examine the first part A Tragieaâ— beginning wherein chiefly he stirreth vp the Prophets The beginning of his Sermon is very tragicall and warlike wherein hee rouzeth vp the secure and carelesse that they might prepare themselues for the punishmentes nowe readye to light vppon them And because they were to bee punished with warre he alluding to afeate of warre willeth the watchmen or spies to sound out Alarum and proclaime the batteil For hee sayth Blow the trumpet in Sion and shout in my holy mountayne Hee maketh mention of Sion and of the holy hill or Temple partlye leaste they shoulde thinke themselues to hee safe for the holynesse of the place and partly that they might vnderstand this thing especiallye to bee enioyned to the. Prophetes whome GOD had appointed watchmen to his people Ezech. 3.33 as wee may read in Ezechiel He addeth Let all the inhabitantes of the lande tremble Hee nameth all leaste anye shoulde thinke him selfe to bee without faulte And he biddeth them tremble to the end they might perceiue God to deale in good earnest and therefore that they also must not dally Whereunto serueth the cause which he by and by addeth For the day of the Lord commeth that is the time is at hand which God hath nowe long since appointed for veÌ„geaÌ„ce which euen now also waiteth at your dores Heere commeth the goodnes of God to be noted of vs who like a kinde father first dealeth in woordes The goodnes of God in giuing warning before he punisheth before hee addeth stripes Neyther doubtlesse are suche prophesiynges in vayne or appointed to stirre vp a vayne feare or terrour For as many as beeing terryfied with them are conuerted to GOD doe escape the punishments as GOD himselfe promiseth in Ieremie But if in cace the number of the wicked doe preuayle Ieremie 18. vnto whom these thinges seeme but as toyes and trifles and therefore GOD cannot deferre the punishment yet doe the Godly receiue greate comforte hereby For when they call these prophesiynges to minde they vnderstande also that all these thinges are ordered by Gods gouernment who because hee is faythfull and loueth vs suffereth not his to be tempted aboue their strength but that for his mercies sake hee causeth that all thinges woorke for the best vnto them God vseth his ministers as watchmen Further wee haue to marke that God oftentimes by his Prophets and ministers of his woord doth foretell his punishments and that as before wee haue sayde hee ordeyned them to the ende that as watchmen they shoulde sounde the Trumpet and stirre vp the people committed to their charge vnto that spirituall fight which consisteth especially in the exercise of repentance and woorde of GOD and whiche alone is able to turne away the plagues imminent and at hand The consideration hereof admonisheth as well ministers as also the whole people and euery creature particularly of their dueties For it belongeth vnto them to attende vppon theyr flocke and to marke the state and condition of euery one and with all the dangers that eyther publikely or priuately â—ang ouer their heades Moreouer to reprooue and denounce the same so as euery man maye perceiue what hee ought to doe This did the holy Prophets in times past and the selfesame doeth Paule very grauelye require of the Ministers of the new Testament Actes 20. 2. Tim. 4. Mat. 24. and 25. And they that doe their duetie in this behalfe shall enter into the ioye of their Lorde But as many as are carelesse and negligent at their handes shall bee required the blood of them that perishe Againe it shall bee the parte of all those that will bee numbred amongest the people of GOD to tremble at the sound of Gods woorde Ezechi 33. and with speedie repentance to preuente the daye of the Lorde The Prophet admonisheth vs thereof when hee sayth it is at hande For by that threatning he putteth them in hope that they may as yet escape the punishmentes nowe ready to light vpon them if they will applye them selues vnto GOD giuing them warning These thinges were of vs to be considered O Brethren when as turmoylinges and dangers doe euery where arise And GOD truly for his parte executeth his office neither want there faythfull watchmen by him raysed vp whiche reprooue sinne and denounce the plagues hanging ouer vs. But in the meane time there want not such as are negligent also Esay 56. who eyther by diminishing Gods threatnings do fauoure and maynetayne wickednes or else by the lewde example of their life doe shamefully prostitute the authoritie of the woorde and ministerye This occasion euery lewde and wicked verlet catcheth holde of and heerevppon it commeth that the carelesse libertie of sinning doeth euerye where preuayle and the warninges of the faythfuller Ministers are wicke dly scoffed at and laughed to skorne But Gods iudgement shall not slacke who will rayse vppe most cruell enemies
theyr sinnes and are so farre from bewayling them that rather they glory in them like vnto Doeg the Idumean against whō Dauid for this cause inueigheth Psal 52. But least that any shoulde thinke repentāce to consist in outward weeping hee repeateth that wherein the substance of the whole matter standeth when hee addeth And rent your hearte and not your garments and turne to the Lord your God For they of the East countrie were wont to teare their garments if any thing had happened vnto them which seemed to bee intollerable But the hypocrites abused that gesture as though the whole order of repentance had cōsisted therein Hee auoucheth therefore that there is a farre other matter required namely that they should he broken in their hearts and vnfeignedly detest their sinnes and so vtterly retecting them returne vnto God from whome before they were departed For why God is not delighted with outwarde ceremonies but as wee saide in the beginning hee requireth the heart and the same contrite and humbled hee doth not despise as Dauid admonisheth Psal 51. And of outwarde matters there is no other vse but so farre foorth as both wee are stirred vp by them and the same serue to Gods glory and the edifiyng of others where againe they are reprooued which are wont to place all their repentance in most colde and frozen Ceremonies That our repentance is not vnprofitable But to this doctrine or exhortation hee annexeth reasons deriued from the person of God whereby hee teacheth that our repentance shall not bee vnprofitable or vnfruitefull For as in euery businesse our heartes doe faile vs if in case wee thinke that wee labour in vaine so heere in this especially For heereupon cōmeth eyther sodaine desperation or els an vnbrideled libertie of sinning which at length endeth in desperation Least therefore any such thing shoulde happen also vnto these hee assureth them of Gods grace and goodnes who will receiue them into fauour that turne vnto him And this hee prooueth by the selfe same titles or Epithets wherwith God describeth himselfe in Moses saying Exod. 34. For hee is gracious and mercifull slowe to anger and of great goodnes repenteth him of the euill First hee calleth him gracious or fauourable as hee that by nature is prone and ready to doe good rather then to punish Secondly hee attributeth vnto him mercy or rather if you consider the Hebrwe word the bowels of mercyes wherby are signified the naturall affections of parents towardes their children This Dauid declareth in the Psalmes saying Psal 103. As a father pitieth his children so doth the Lorde Pitie them that feare him For he knoweth whereof we bee made hee remembreth that wee are but dust c. Thirdly hee sayth that hee is slowe to anger that is to say long suffering and one that is not lightly prouoked Fourthly of great goodnesse or bountifulnesse For hee is the bottomelesse fountaine of all goodnesse who is delighted to doe good vnto vs sith for this cause especially hee created men that hee might haue some whom to make partakers of his benefits Fiftly and it repenteth him of the euil that is to say hee reuoketh the sentence of punishment alreadie pronounced when he seeth them to bee amended and conuerted vpon whom hee meant to execute the same Examples heereof are euerye where extant For hitherto belongeth the whole historie of the Israelites if wee consider what was done with them in the desert and afterwarde vnder their Iudges and Kinges To these are added the priuate examples of Dauid Peter and others whome wee reade to haue beene conuerted from many folde and most grèeuous sinnes and to haue returned into fauour with God againe Let these things serue to comfort vs least wee rashly despayre of Gods goodnesse For sith hee suffereth with much lenitie the vessels of wrath as Paule sayeth hee will muche more pardon their infirmities Rom. 9. that acknowledge him and long to bee reconciled vnto him In the meane season these verye thinges ought to stirre vs vp to repentance least wee abuse his goodnesse For theyr faulte is inexcuseable which refuse to come vnto God so willingly offering himselfe vnto them The faithfull speak modestly as touching the remission of Gods punishments Further wee haue diligently to obserue heere with what woordes the Prophet inferreth the conclusion wherein he putteth them in hope of pardon who knoweth sayth hee whether he will turne and repent and leaue behinde him a blessing euen a meate offering and drinke offering to the Lorde your God Which wordes are not so to bee taken as though they proceeded from one doubting of Gods grace and the remission of sinnes which we with constant faith must beleeue but first they resemble the nature and disposition of faith which although it sticketh with vndoubted trust to the promises of God yet is it modest and not malapert or importunate neither doth it rashly presume vpon God Secondly they ought to bee expounded rather of the punishment then of the remission of sinne For albeit wee bee sure and certaine of this neither in deede is it lawefull to doubt yet is there an other consideration to bee had of the punishments which God sendeth in the way of chastisemente neyther doth hee take them away before that hee seeth vs to bee amended and the pride of our fleshe to bee crushed and broken But heere is the obedience of faith needefull which both patiently submitteth it selfe to Gods will and euen then also hopeth well of his mercy when the tokens of his wrath seeme still to appeare And that hytherto also these thinges ought to bee referred it appeareth by the wordes following wherein he saith And leaue behinde him a blessing that is to say giue a plentifull increase of the earth so as wee may againe celebrate his Sacrifices which for want and necessitie haue for a time ceased Where againe appeareth the nature of faith which that it is chiefly carefull of Gods worship we haue often sayde alreadie For they craue the fruites of the earth not to guzzle and glutte themselues or to pamper theyr bodies with the pleasures of the fleshe but to the ende they might serue God and yeelde vnto him his due worship They are therfore a great way off from the nature and propertie of faith who so they may abound in delight is and ydlenes doe seldome or neuer bethinke themselues eyther of the conseruation or instauration of Gods worship and glory It shall bee our parts to acknowledge the goodnesse of God and forsaking our sinnes and errours to turne vnto him by fayth in Christ who both giueth vs repentance and also pardon and forgiuenes of sinnes To him bee giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 7. 15 BLowe the trumpet in Sion sanctifie a fast The text call a solemne assemblie 16 Gather the people sanctifie the congregation gather the elders assemble she children and those that sucke the brestes
churches are admonished of their duetie namely that they put themselues betweene the people God being angry For although the glory of intercession or atonement doe belong properly vnto Christ alone yet is it their partes neuer to ceasse praying whereby they may asswage the wrath of God and reconcile the people vnto him So wee reade Aaron intermingled himselfe umb 16. and stood in the middest betweene the quicke and the deade when the plague of GOD grew hote among the people 1. Sam. 12. And Samuel thought it a greate offence if hee shoulde ceasse to pray for the people which had cast off Gods yoke and gouernement For seeing GOD complaineth of this in the Prophets more then in one place or two that no man woulde offer himselfe or stand in the breache of the wall Ezech. 22. Esay 59. to stoppe the course of his wrath and fury it cannot but exceedingly displease him if the ministers themselues bee in this case forgetfull of their dueties c. Now he prescribeth the prayer in this sort Spare thy people O Lord A fourme of publike prayers and giue not thine heritage to reproche c. The petition is briefe Spare say they thy people These wordes haue in them a confession of sinne and with all they shew that all hope of saluation is to be sought onely in Gods mercy As though he should say We haue sinned O Lorde and are vtterly vnworthy of any better successe but spare vs we beseech thee and enter not into iudgement with vs. c. Vnto these wordes they adioyne reasons and the first they draw and alleadge from their owne person whilest they cal themselues Gods people and adde Neither giue thine heritage into reproch for the sense is this Exod. 19. whatsoeuer we be we are thy people thine inheritaÌ„ce thy chosen but who I pray thee will suffer his inheritance to perish if hee may saue it And thus he sendeth theÌ„ to the free couenaÌ„t of god who had made theÌ„ his peculiar people The other reasoÌ„ they fetch froÌ„ the person of god whose glory they say should be called into questioÌ„ why shal they say amoÌ„g the people where is their god for as the vngodly acknowledge no God at all but visible So are they wont to iudge of the true God and of his worship onely according to the present successe Assoone therefore as they see the professours of the true fayth and religion to bee in danger by and by they cast them in the teeth with their fayth and worship of the true God as in these daies alas for sorrow is euery where to bee seene But wee are taught in this place how prayers as well publike as priuate ought to bee ordered Publike praiers how they are to bee made when publike calamities doe vrge and oppresse vs. First and before all thinges we haue neede of the confession of sinnes which must be ioyned with faith so as wee may haue the hope of our saluation fiâ—ed onely in the grace and mercy of God Because if we looke vpon our selues we must perish without remedie seeing our sinnes doe on euery side bewray them selues and euen our righteousnesses are nothing but vncleannesse Esay 64. Secondly least this hope should wauer as a thing vncertaine Gene. 17.22 c. wee must haue recourse to the couenant of God which beeing made with our fathers and confirmed by the death of Christ cannot at any time become voyde or frustrate For if no person by his owne priuate authoritie may abolish the testament and wil of a man Gala. 3. which is lawfully written confirmed then perdy must the authoritie of Gods will and testament of necessitie bee greater wherein hee hath inrolled made vs his heires And as the Prophete calleth these folke still the people and inheritance of God notwithstanding that they were presently to bee punished for their sinnes euen so at this day the Lorde doth not by and by reiect his Churche although some spottes and infirmities doe cleaue vnto it 〈◊〉 that shee hold-fast the seede of faith and be desirous to bee reconciled with him But especially wee must bee carefull to promote gods glory which ought to bee more heere vnto vs then our owne proper welfare and saluation For this thing doth the order of the Ten commaudementes and the course of the Lords prayer teach vs euen the common sense and experience of nature which causeth children to be vigilant and carefull for the fame and honour of their parents This thing saw Moses Exod. 32. NuÌ„ 14. c. who as ofte as hee maketh intercession for the people alleadgeth chiefly godâ— glory least God shoulde giue it vp to the reproche of the Heathen And the godly cry out in the Psalmes Psal 115. Not vnto vs O Lord not vnto vs but to thy name giue the glory c. Most detestable therefore is their sinne and iniquitie who when they are not ignorant how Gods glory is blasphemed of the wicked by reason of their enormities and most corrupt maners yet can by no meanes bee brought to consider of the amendment of them Moreouer it is full of comfort in that wee see our saluation coupled with Gods glory For in as much as God is a ielous God hee will not suffer the glorye of his name to fall to the grounde and therefore his chozen in whoÌ„ the same is in hazarde hee will neuer forsake Let vs be mindefull of these things in these most dangerous dayes and return vnto God who will be mercifull to so many as conuert vnto him through Iesus Christ his onely sonne our Lord to whom be giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 8. The text 18 THen will the Lord bee ielous ouer his lands and spare his people 19 Yea the Lorde will answere and say vnto his people Beholde I wil sende you corne and wine and oile and you shall bee satisfied therewith and I will no more make you a reproch among the heathe 20 But I will remoue farre off from you the Northren armie and I will driue him into a lande barren and desolate with his face towarde the East Sea and his ende to the vttermost Sea And his stinke shall come vp and his corruption shal ascend because he hath exalted him selfe to doe this 21 Feare not O land but bee glad and reioyce for the Lord will doe great thinges 22 Be not afraid yee beasts of the field for the pastures of the wildernesse are greene for the tree beareth her fruit the figtree the vine do giue their force The argumeÌ„t and vse of this present place GOD vseth indeede to punish mens sinnes with sundrie and greeuous penalties and yet so many as returne vnto him hee graciously receiueth into fauour There are extant of this matter many promises which are confirmed with inâ—umerable examples amongest which that is very notable that is propounded and set foorth by
vs because they suppose wee are neither regarded of God nor men But in the meane season they inuade and make hauocke of Gods people and of Gods inheritance then the which the whole vniuersall worlde hath nothing inâ—tâ—more excellent and glorious For why God maketh so great account of his elect and chosen 1. Pet. 1. Act. 20. that hee woulde purchase them vnto himselfe with the blood of his onely begotten sonne because there coulde no where bee founde any other price sufficient and further hauing purchased them Psal 2. Ephes 5. hee allotted them vnto his sonne for an inheritance yea he would haue them to be his spouse which he might make partaker of his heauenly kingdom of euerlasting happines They are iniurious therefore not against men but against God himselfe as many as lay violent handes vpon his Church and they shall vndoubtedly feele him to bee their iudge reueÌ„ger For the threatning of God is wel knowen speaking by Zachary Zach. 1. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eyet the saying of Christ Saule Saul why persecutest thou mee Act. 9. Which as they strike a terrour vnto the wicked so are they a comfort to the godly when they vnderstand that God will bee a reuenger of their cause He declareth the causes of the punishments But least God might seeme to haue taken any thing rashly in hande hee rehearseth in order what they had done against his people and against his inheritance First they haue scattered them among all nations For they had both led away the people and dispearsed them throughout their prouinces and also had brought of their own nation into the land of Israel to inhabite according as the sacred historie euidently testifieth of Salmanazar 2. King 17. and that Sennacherib the tyrant attempted the like it may appeare by the wordes of Rabsaketh wherewith hee sollicited them of Ierusalem to surrender their Citie Esay 36. And this doeth the Lorde obiect vnto them as a great and heynous crime when yet notwithstanding Sennacherib chiefly glorifieth heerein Esa 10. Act. 17. Deut. 32. that hee had remoued the boundes of kingdomes and nations And because it is plaine that God hath appointed to euery people their seuerall limites and borders they sin in like maner whosoeuer without great and vrgent cause inuade the countries and dominions of other Albeit the Prophete doth not heere onely accuse this kinde of iniustice and crueltie but also the vngodlines wherby they both prophaned the people consecrated vnto God and also the lande that was the seate of his worship Which selfe same thing in effect doe the persecutors in these dayes when as they compell the professours of Christe to deny the faith to set vp idolatrie in those places where the Gospel was taught before Moreouer they haue cast lottes for my people And so he betokeneth an extreeme contempt and that they accounted them for most vile whomsoeuer that tooke in that battaile Hee addeth And they haue giuen the childe for the harlot and haue solde the damosell for wine The former member may be taken two waies that wee may vnderstande them either to haue abused the children to their abhominable lust or els to haue giuen them for gifces to their harlots But in the latter member hee reprooueth their practise of gluttonie and drunkennesse and withall putteth the Iewes in minde howe iustly they had hitherto suffered extremities that had so carelesly neglected Gods glory For doubtlesse a fearefull thing it is if we coÌ„sider that these things hapned to gods people and inheritance and euen then happened too when God yet acknowledged theÌ„ for his owne people But the like thinges intimes past the Christians also suffered at this day in some places they are faine to suffer the selfe same Wee ought not therfore to bee offended but rather to consider of the faultes and corruptions of the Church which it behoueth by this meanes to bee corrected and resereined In the meane time heere also are expressed the maners and practises of the enemies and persecutors of the Church The maners and conditioÌ„s of the enimies of the church They will seeme as though they handled gods cause were desirous to preserue defend religion when commonly beeing giuen to most foule and filthie pleasures they run headlong through a desperate and insatiable libertie into all kinde of lust and villauie Such wee reade were in times past the Herodes the Neroes the Domitians and many other Such also in these dayes are seene to be the Romish Bishops togeather with their protectors and defenders and the whole rabble in a maner of the anointed and shauen crewe who when they burne with an vnquenchable practise of dice play venerie and gluttonie and are not eshamed of any enormitie whatsoeuer yet forsooth will bee counted the onely patrons and defenders of Gods glory and religion But euen they also shall feele at the length what it is to mocke God and the Church of Christe And these things bee spoken as touching the outwarde enemies He thretneth punishments to their domesticall and neighborlike enemies He passeth now to the neighbour nations of the Iewes which in the time of the Assyrian warre ioyned themselues with their enemies wheÌ„ before they were either their subiects or els by leagues lawes of friendship bound and vnited vnto them For it is euident that the Philistines were subdued by Dauid and that the Tyrians were confederate with Dauid and Salomon And they forsooth namely the Philistines thought they had nowe occasion giuen them wherby they mought reuenge their olde wronges but these other I meane the Tyrians be wrayed the lightnesse and inconstancy of their minds when as they became enimies vnto them in aduersitie whose partes they had taken before in prosperitie But they are an example or figure of the domestical home-bredde enemies of the Church who either against their willes or allured by the successe of happy conclusions doe for a time counterfet the loue of true religion but at last assoone as occasion is giuen bewray the priuie poyson of their stomackes Of which sort seeing there is nowe euery where a huge nuÌ„ber that ought diligently to bee marked that the Lorde denounceth heere vnto these Yea and what haue you to doe with mee saith hee O Tyre Sidon and all the coastes of Palestina As though hee shoulde say Goe to admit the Assyrians had some cause of warre against mee or at least coulde pretende some excuse that they beeing farre off from my lande were also voide and destitute of the knowledge of my lawes maner of my true worship But tell me what moued you to ioyne your selues vnto these and to bee drawen into the societie of the battaile What will yee render mee a recompence that is to say haue yee suffered any iniurie by me that might deserue such a recompence Certainely you can alleddge no such matter when rather yee owe thankes vnto
you shal neuer bring this to passe For albeit it may seem a thing impossible that they should euer returne to their owne country yet will I rayse them vp and gathering them together out of all places bring them backe againe And as for you I wil rewarde you according to your desertes and that vpon your owne heade For I wil sel your soones your daughters into the hand of the children of Iuda who shall also sell them to the Sabeans and to other nations a farre off Hee aâ—â—â—th by way of confirmation For the Lord himselfe hath spoken it But yet we neuer reade that the Tyrians and Sidonians and other the enemies of the Iewes were sold by the Iewes themselues Yet so the Lord speaketh that these thinges should happen vnto theÌ„ by reason of the disluyaltie and crueltie which they had vsed agaynst the Iewes The execution therfore of Gods iudgement is attributed to the Iewes for as much as God woulde sende it to reuenge the iniuries offred vnto his people But these thinges were fulfilled when the selfsame Assyrians Chaldeans which had afflicted the Iewes did also within a while after subdue and ouerrunne these nations togither with other the neare neighbours of the Iewes Esa 14. 32 Iere. 47. Ezech. 29.27.28 Ioan. 11. as we may see in the sermons of Esay Ieremie and Ezechiel Neuerthelesse these things ought chiefly to be referred to the times of Christ who as he hath gathered together in one the children of God which were before dispersed and solde vnder sinne so taketh hee most greeuous punishments vpon the wicked enemies of his church whereof the Iewes first of all tasted For when these had after a sort sold Christ and shamefully denied him before Pilate God solde them also into the handes of the Romanes and scattered them throughout the whole worlde so as the tokens of Gods wrath are euery where seene in them The like happened not long after to the Romanes whom God solde into the handes of the Gotthes Vandalles Herulians and other most cruell nations when they had once atmed theÌ„ selues against Christ neither is it to be doubted but that all they also are to tast of the selfe same cup in these dayes that are false and iniurious against the church And withall let theÌ„ also obserue this thing whosoeuer beside the cause of religion liue by oppression of the poore shedding of bloode and by rauine and extertion suche as are those that addicting themselues vnto mercenary warfare seeke their chiefe prayse in this if they may spoyle kill and destroy as manye as is possible Well God will one day punishe them wick euen dealing neither will Christ bee founde false Matt. 7. who sayde sometime With what measure yee mete with the selfesame shal others also mete vnto you Apoc. 13. Agayne Hee that leadeth into captiuitie goeth into captiuitie He that killeth with the sword shall perish with the sword These things are approued by the examples of all ages so as wee haue by no meanes to doubt of the truth of them c. The wicked and vngodly destroy themselues with fiting one against another But forsomuch as God punisheth the wickednes of the world with diuers and sundry penalties he now expressely sheweth what punishment he would vse against them namely warre which in maner of an herrault he deuounceth with many graue and weightie woordes to the intent hee might both awaken the carelesse contemners of Gods iudgementes and also minister hope and comfort to the godly who thought it would scarce euer come to passe that these natioÌ„s should be punished which as they were most mighty and puissant so also did they as stubbornely defend their superstitions against the church of God Hee publikely therfore denounceth warre vnto them whilest he raiseth vp al nations he sheweth it would come to passe that al the whole worlde shoulde be troubled and that they should fall by wounding one of another that had now conspired to the destructioÌ„ of Gods people Publish sayth he this among the Gentiles For god is the Lord of all nations â—â—nctifie prepare warret by which speech he signifieth that this warre should be accomplished by the furtherance and assistance of God albeit the prophane Gentiles vnderstood not so much withal he coÌ„mendeth vnto theÌ„ an earnest care endeuour to go through with it Wake vp also al the mightie valiant men let as many as are furnished with any martiall prowesse draw neere come vp Yea breake your plough shares into swordes your siethes into speares And thus he expresseth the incessaÌ„t practise of warring which should bring with it a forgetfulnes of husbandry and of all other businesses which are wonte to florishe in the time of peace For Esay by diuerse speeches expresseth the exercise of peace when prophesiyng of the kingdome of Christe hee sayeth They shall breake their swordes into mattockes and theyr speares into siethes c. Hereunto Ioel addeth Esay 2. Hee that is weake let him say I am a strong champion let him shew himself couragious in executing Gods iudgment What neede many wordes Assemble your selues and come together all ye heathen rounde about The cause For the Lord shall there namely in the sight of his Churche cast downe all the mightie men of the earth that haue hytherto afflicted her These things admonish vs how greatly God careth for his Church The Churche how much it is set by of God For as hee made all thinges for this and therefore prosecuteth all other creatures with his fauour that they might doe seruice vnto her So for the same his Churche hee meserueth kingdomes and common weales to the end they might minister thinges necessary thereunto and agayne ouerthroweth those nations and kingdomes which would haue his church banished and destroyed For example the Sodomites whom God preserued a long time for Lots sake and deliuered by Abraham from their enemies but the same heâ— strake with fire from heauen when Lot coulde no longer dwell amongest them in safetie Likewise vpon Egpyt God powred many benefites by Ioseph when as hee had appointed it the resting place of his Church but incontinently hee both most greeuously afflicted the land of the Egyptians and also destroyed their king with his whole traine of horsemen by a verye fearefull and terrible iudgement what time they began to persecute his Church In like maner dealt he with the Chananites with the Moabites with the Madianites with the Palestines Syrians Idumeans Babilonians Medians Persians Grecians and Romanes as the histories doe euery where tostifie And at this daye wee see the wicked runne together by the eares one vpon another and to turne the weapons to their owne destruction which they had prouided to oppresse the Church and so is it true in all ages that the verye earth that is to say earthly minded men and such as are giuen ouer to the worlde drinke up the floodes of water
of gods wrath shal appeare in thē let these things serue for our cōfort against the assault of the wicked who howsoeuer they rage take on for a time yet shall they one day be broght before the iudgmēt seat of Christ receuie rewards according to their deedes And wtal being mindful of these things let vs embrace the grace of God which he offereth vnto vs in Christ Iesus who at the length hauing remooued vs from all dangers wil finally translate vs into the felowship of his kingdome to him be giuen blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Sermon 14. 16 THe Lord also shall roare out of Sion The text and vtter his voyce from Ierusalem and the heauēs and the earth shall tremble but the Lord will be the hope of his people and the strength of his people Israel 17 And you shall know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Sion mine holy mountaine and then shall Hierusalem be holy and there shall no strangers goe through her any more 18 And in that daye shall the mountaines drop down new wine and the hils shall flow with milke and al the riuers of Iuda shal runne with waters and a fountaine shal come forth of the house of the Lord and shal water the valley of Sittim 19 Egypt shall bee wast and Edome shal be a desolate wildernesse for the iniuries of the children of Iuda because they haue shed innocent blood in their land 20 But Iuda shall dwell for euer and Ierusalem frō generation to generation 21 For I wil clense their blood which I haue not cleansed and the Lorde will dwell in Zion FOrasmuch as all the promises of God are founded in Christ Iesus in whom alone the father is well pleased with vs The argumēt vse of this present place Ioel as also the rest of the Prophets doth so intreate of the deliuerance of the Iewish people that withall he cōprehendeth the misteries of the vnuiersal redēption which we haue in Christ These thinges therefore ought so to be considered of vs as that we insearch those points with a deeper and profounder sense that are fulfilled accomplished in Christ And of late he spake of the punishments of the enemies whervnto now he addeth those thinges that make to the safetie and happines of the godly as wel in this world as in the world to come Whereof we ought to reape this vse that reposing our trust in the aide and assistāce of God wee may valiantly vanquishe and ouercome all that standeth against vs and withall indeuour to be such as God may acknowledge and defend as his owne How God will be affected toward his people I Hee fraieth the wicked But Ioel beginneth with the person of God and sheweth how hee will bee affected towarde his people First The Lord saith he will roare out of Zion and vtter his voyce from Ierusalem He compareth GOD to a Lion roaring after his pray which hee will not suffer to bee taken from him And so hee teacheth that God will bee a deliuerer and defender of his people not onely faithfull and iust but also strong and valiant which will neuer permit them to bee purloyned from him Therefore hee addeth The heauen the earth shall tremble Amos 3. For if so be as Amos saith all men stande in feare of the Lion when hee roareth who doubteth but that all creatures will tremble if in case God vtter foorth the tokens and threatninges of his wrath Howbeit as wee admonished in the beginning these things belong especially vnto Christ which is that strōg Lion of the tribe of Iuda Apoc. ◠who as hee hath deliuered his owne out of the tyrannie of the Diuell so will hee by no meanes suffer them to bee taken from him Ioan. 10. My sheepe saith hee can no man take out of my hand c. Let these thinges comfore vs in our temptations For if we abide in Zion that is in the fellowship and societie of the Church no man can separate vs from the loue of God Rom. 8. For why hee that hath instructed the Lions with terrible roaring and hee that causeth the thunders to astonish mens mindes and to bellowe out of the heauens the same by the secret power of his spirite can cast downe the courages of the wicked so as will they nill they they shall cease to hurte and endammage his people c. 2 He is the hope and strength of his people But least any man shoulde thinke that God woulde also become fearefull to the godly hee addeth But the Lorde will be the hope of his people and the strength of his people Israell In that therefore hee sheweth himselfe terrible to the vngodly in that hee shaketh heauen and earth all this hee doth to the benefice and welfare of his Church that namely the wicked may bee abashed and the godly haue a stedfast and vntemoueable hope and confidence in him And heere it appeareth how notable the fruite of faith and godlines is whē as these alone cause god to be sweete and amiable vnto vs whose Maiestie and power otherwise is intollerable For as good and vertuous children are delighted with the port and magnificence of their father which they know will be honourable and profitable vnto them also but the vndutifull and rebellious are dismaide with the same because they know well enough they haue deserued punishment euen so the power and glory of God doth wonderfully cheere and comfort the godly when as they acknowledge him to bee their father and protector the wicked and vngodly in the meane time miserably trembling at the mention of him But wee haue to obserue that he saith that God will not onely bee the hope but also the strength of the godly For as hee protecteth and defendeth his people so also he furnisheth them with new force that they may be able to abide and do all things These thinges haue in like maner their accomplishment in Christ Mat. 16. For hee is that inuincible rocke against which euen the gates of hell shall not bee able to preuaile The same commaundeth vs to trust in him Ioan. 16. and saith that hee hath ouercome the worlde the prince thereof The same encourageth the faithfull with his spirite so farre forth that being prepared vnto euery good work they manfully subdue al aduersarie power and euen glory and reioyce in their afflictions Whereupon Paule saide I am able to do all thinges in Christe that strengtheneth mee See Rom. 5. Philip. 4. 3. He is a present helper defender He addeth heereunto in the third place And you shall knowe that I am the Lord your GOD dwelling in Zion my holy mountaine Hee opposeth this to the dangers which they had hytherto susteyned and by reason whereof they supposed that they had beene vtterly forsaken of God The sense is this I will shewe my selfe so fauorable vnto you that you shal feele
innocent blood in their land Therfore the wicked are punished for their tyrannie whereby they oppresse the godly neither in deede will Christ suffer this to escape vnreuenged who testifieth himselfe to bee afflicted in his members as we said of late From hence therfore let vs fetch comfort in persecutiō neither let vs be offended with the successe of the wicked who shall one day wee reigning in the heauens bee cast into vtter darknesse and there tormented for euer 4. A perpetuitie hee promiseth a perpetuitis which thing alone sufficiently teacheth that this place ought not to be vnderstood of the carnall Iuda but of the spirituall or Church For it is euident that the people of the Iewes were cast out of the lande of promise and had lost all forme both of Church and Common weale The Prophet therefore saith But Iuda shall dwell for euer and Ierusalem from generation to generation Which may bee meant onely of the Church vnto whome Christe being about to conueigh his body from the earth into heauen Mat. 28. said Behold I am with you euen vnto the ende of the worlde And that the same shall neuer die Math. 24. 1. Cor. 15. 1. Thes 4. the prophesyinges of the same Christe and Apostles as touching the last day doe aboundantly teathe when as they testifie that then there wil be some who being caught vp in the ayre to meete Christ shall enter into possession of the heauenly kingdome Forasmuch therefore as the Churche shall bee vpon the earth euen vnto the end of the worlde and the same then beeing translated into heauen shall bee indued also with the immortalitie of the body it is plaine perdy as the Prophet speaketh that the same shall dwell for euer Why therefore doe wee feare the attempts of persecutors Why tremble wee at the dangers that hang on euery side ouer vs In times past forsooth most mightie Kinges and Emperours haue assayed to subuert ouerthrowe the Church but they haue bin so farre off from atchieuing their purpose that in so doing they haue gamed nothing but perpetuall shame and ignominie and an vurecouerable losse as well of their goods as also of their bodies and soules The like lot also shall light vpon those that doe in these dayes followe their steppes 5. A cleansing from sinnes But forsomuche as the conscience of sinnes calleth into question all the promises of God in the fift place the Lorde addeth And I will cleanse their blood which I haue not cleansed and the Lord wil dwel in Zion By blood the scriptures vnderstand al greeuous and haynous sins The meaning therefore is this Whatsoeuer filthinesse remaineth in them which might seeme as yet not to be clensed and taken away all that will I cleanse purge This was performed also in Christ whose blood as the Apostle saith cleanseth vs from all sin and of whō the Baptist witnessed Beholde the lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world But especially this seemeth to bee referred to the calling of the Gentiles who where before also they wanted the purifiyngs of the lawe God had suffered them as the Apostle saith to walk in their owne wayes Act. 14. yet the same beeing brought to the knowledge of him he deliuered set free by the merit of Christ frō their sins from condēnation Our sinnes therefore beeing cleansed done away which alone separated vs from God it followeth necessarily that God will dwell in Zion that is the Church that he wil neuer leaue it destitute of his fouour and protection Hitherto maketh the place of Paule writing to the Romanes Rom. 5. God setteth out his loue toward vs seeing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for vs. Much more then being now iustified by his blood we shal bee saued from wrath through him For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his sonne much more being reconciled we shal be saued by his life c. And thus doth the diuine Ioel conclude and shet vp his prophesie with a promise of the Gospell nay if you consider more aduisedly of him throughout yee shall finde him to bee an Euangelical Preacher For hee beganne with the rehearsall of the punishments which hee sheweth they deserued by their sins And immediately he exhorted them to repentance gaue foorth the true fourme and maner thereof Then heereunto he added promises touching the penalties of the enemies perpetual happinesse of the godly Let vs therfore transferre these thinges to our times and from hence take aduice as touching the auoyding of plagues and calamities whereof the summe is this that wee forsaking our sinnes and the cares of this wicked world doe with our whole heart 〈◊〉 turne conuert vnto God through Christ Iesus who as hee hath cleansed vs from our sinnes and reconciled vs to God his father so doth hee protect and defende those that beleeue in him amiddest the dangers of this life and finally causing them to escape and surmount all calamities hee will translate them into his owne kingdome 〈◊〉 to the places of eternall happinesse To him therefore with the father the holy ghoste three persons and one eternall and euerliuing God bee all blessing honour glory and dominion for euer and euer Amen Imprinted at London at the three Cranes in the Vintree by Thomas Dawson for William Ponnsonby 1582.
affliction whiche as the Prophet sayth maye giue vs vnderstanding and prouoke vs to the dueties of godlines Esay 28. The Saintes do acknowledge this and say with Dauid Psal 119. It is good O Lord that thou hast humbled me Againe Thy rod and thy staffe comfort me For why Psal 23. they acknowledge the fatherly hand of God in chastising theÌ„ and therefore they reioyce in afflictions which they know will woorke for the best vnto them This thing is to bee obserued of vs when eyther we are tempted publikly with warres and famine or priuatelye with disseases and other aduersities For so being made partakers of Christ in bearing his crosse wee shall reigne for euer with him in glory Neuerthelesse least they might think that this afflictioÌ„ should alwaies last coÌ„tinue God testifieth his fauour by outward benesites he repeateth that which he had said of the fruitfulnes of the earth of the most pleÌ„tifull increase of corne victual which is another cause of reioysing in the Lord namely that they should acknowledge the fauoure of God by his externall benefites and euen in very deede haue experience thereof For hee sayth He will cause the rayne to come downe vnto you euen the first rayne and the latter rayne in the first moneth That is said to be the first rayne which in the moneth of September after seede time watereth the fieldes that the seedes may grow and take roote The latter rayne which when the Corne is now in riping causeth that the Graines in the Eares are not scorched with ouermuch heat but are made more plentifull And in these two kindes he comprehendeth all other influences of the heauens which make to the happy increase and foizon of the earth Neither doeth hee promise these onely but teâ—heth also that they shall be effectuall whâ—â— hee addeth And the barnes shall be filled with wheate and the presses shall abound with wine and oyle and I will render and make good vnto you the yeeres that is those yeerely fruites which the Grashoppers haue deuoured the Canker worme and the Caterpiller and the Palmer worme my great hoast which I sent amongest you Victuall and sustenance commeth only by the blessing of God Leuit. 26. Deut. 28. Psalm 104. 145.147 In which place wee are admonished that seasonable weather and the fruites of the earth doe come to passe onely and alone by Gods blessing There are extant as touching this matter promises in the law Dauid oftentimes maketh mention thereof in the Psalmes As ofte therefore as wee inioye those benefites let vs acknowledge them to bee testimonies of Gods grace and goodnes and vse the same soberly and with thankesgiuing 1. Tim. 4. For by this Paule witnesseth that our meates are sanctified But if wee be vnthankfull and intemperate then they turne vnto our destruction which ought to haue serued our necessitie and withall God taketh awaye his giftes and punisheth them with penury and hunger which would not acknowledge his goodnes and bountie Neither is this any harde matter for him to doe when as by most vile wormes hee can sodenly cutte shorte the whole hope of the yeere Neyther doeth he without cause cal these heere in this place his hoast or army For albeit these seely creatures seeme to bee most weake and feeble thinges yet doe they make huge swarmes wherby they destroy all that euer is both farre and neere in so much that a man may more easily defend the fieldes from the inuations of enemies then from them Examples are euery where extant in hystories Exod. 10. and wee haue seene some in our tune in the consideration whereof woulde GOD wee were more diligentlye occupied and then remembring our owne weakenesse wee should haue lesse cause to be proude against GOD who is able with most vile and wretched creatures to subdue euen the cruelest Tyrantes and fiercest nations that be Hitherto maketh that which hee addeth saying How Gods benefites ought to bee vsed And you shall eate and be satisfied and prayse the name of the Lord your God who hath dealt maruellously with you In which wordes he sheweth theÌ„ how they ought to vse peace and the plenty of things belonging to mans sustenance For God would that we should enioy theÌ„ be satisfied with theÌ„ But withall he will haue vs to be mindfull of him and to prayse his name that is his power and bountifulnes It was miraculous to behold the sodeine deliuerance felicitie which happened to the Iewes after the Assyrian war But no lesse admiration deserue the things that we daily haue experience of that al creatures are occupied about maÌ„s liuelihood welfare Therfore a more then beastly blockishnes it is if in case we being satisfied with Gods giftes doe neither acknowledge his liberalitie our selues nor prayse and commeÌ„d the same vnto others c. He promiseth the present ayde and protection of God Hereunto he addeth in way of coÌ„firmatioÌ„ And you shal know that I am in the middest of Israel that is to say so great and so notable shal your happines be that if you wil not beleeue my wordes yet shal you find by experience and indeed that I am conuersant amoÌ„gst you that I stand in defence for you with mine aide and how that I am your god that only alone Because I wil theÌ„ deliuer you wheÌ„ as beeing forsakeÌ„ of al men there shal no where appeare any hope of health or safetie To be short I wil bring to passe that my people shal neuer be coÌ„fouÌ„ded And so he sheweth theÌ„ that the fountaine of al good things consisteth in the free promise couenant of God For in that that God had chosen his dwelling place amongest them it was of no merit or desert of theirs but of his owne meere grace and fauour wherewith he embraced them being vnworthie and deseruing no such matter Exod. 16. Leuit. 26. as Moses himselfe more then in one place or two witnesseth But in that the Iewes are at this day horribly confounded made a laughing stocke to the whole worlde it derogateth nothing at al from Gods promise For why this is restrained to the people of god Therefore inasmuch as they ceassed to bee Gods people and are reiected by his iust iudgement the same belongeth no more vnto them In the meane season wee ought to apply these thinges to our instruction and comfort For as in times paste the Iewes Ephes 1. 2. Corin. 6. 1. Pet. 2. Ephes 1. 2. Corin. 15. Rom. 8. so hath God by grace chosen vs in Christ Iesus Who hath not onely redeemed vs by the merit of his death but also made vs a liuing temple vnto him selfe which he vouchsafeth to dwell in by his spirit and worde Yea and he hath engrauen his spirit in our heartes as a sure and certaine pledge of our saluation whereby we cry Abba Father Of which grace there appeare sufficient trials and cleare