verie fitlie compared in the Scriptures to thornes to chaffe to tares Because they be as prickes to procure hurt to the godlie Because as the winde doth scatter the chaffe so shall they be soone cut off from the face of the earth Because as tares are to bee bound in bundels burnt so shall they be in hell fire Wicked men are called by sundrie names and compared in the Scriptures to Foxes to Dogges to beastes Because they are subtill in vndermining doing of mischiefe in so much as the Church requireth to haue the foxes takē awaie Cant. 2.15 Because they are currish in controlling and barking against all goodnes Hereof Paule willeth the Phillip to beware of dogges Phil. 3.2 Because they are prophane in their liues and degenerate frō their kinde worse than beasts So Paule complaineth that hee fought with beastes at Ephesus after the manner of men 1. Cor. 15.32 The wicked and vngodlie are not to be Supported purposelie Accompanied willinglie Condemned vtterlie Because it is abomination before God to iustifie the wicked Prouer. 17.15 Because it is dangerous for hee that toucheth pitch shall be defiled Eccle. 13.1 Because the Lord wil haue mercie on whom he will and when he please Rom 9.15 These sayings maie terrifie such as attempt any euill The face of the Lord is against him 2. Pet. 3.12 Tribulation and anguish shall be vppon his soule Rom. 2.9 There shall be no ende of plagues to him Prouer. 24.20 God tempteth no man to euill but we are drawne to it By the diuell who watcheth to worke our ouerthrowe By our owne concupiscence to consent to his suggestions By vicious companie and ill perswasions of others when we be seduced The Diuell will vndermine vs in our musings if we take not great heed for in them Barn He talketh with vs wittilie He eggeth vs cunninglie Hee deceiueth vs craftelie whom if we resist by faith the Lord will Ouerlook vs fighting Succour vs fainting Crowne vs ouercomming The Diuells haue knowledge after a sort for They beleeue there is a God and feare and tremble Iam. 2.19 They can pleade Scripture for their owne purpose Matth. 4.6 They acknowledge Christes comming to iudgement Matth. 8.29 The Diuell hath three euill properties he is Subtill Strong Cruell as a Serpent as a Lyon as a Tiger For hee can transforme himselfe into many shapes yea into an Angell of light and vse manie shifts to deceiue withall For hee is not so busie in seeking daylie for his pray as he is forcible to resist where he assaulteth For where hee hath any enterance at all he will neuer rest vntill he bringeth to confusion The Diuell vsed three pollicies to tempt Christ in the wildernes perswading him To distrust in God To the desire of riches and honor To a vain cōfidence of himselfe Beza Mat. 20. Wee haue 3. cruell foes that fight against the spirit in this life the Flesh World Diuell The fiercest foe in this fight is the Diuell whō wee may expell with these three weapons Faith Praier the word of God We ought not to followe the lustes of the flesh but leade our liues holilie Beza 1. Pet. 2.11 Because those lusts although they flatter vs yet they cease not to fight against our saluation 2. Cor. 10.3 Because we are citizens in heauen and therefore ought to leade our liues thereafter although we be strangers here Because the glorie of God is greatlie set foorth by that meanes whilest by example of our honest life euen the most prophane men are brought vnto God and submit themselues vnto him There are many walk in this world saith Paul Phil 3.19 Whose God is their bellie Whose glorie is their shame Whose end is damnation The whole world lieth in wickednes 2. Ioh. 5.19 The wretchednes of this world made Salomon say Iob say Paule say The day of death is better than the day one is borne Eccle. 7 3. My soule is cut off though I liue Iob. 10.1 I desire to bee loosed from this life Phil. 1.23 What should we so accompt of this world seeing The fashion of it goes awaie 1. Cor. 7.31 The wisedome of it is mere foolishnes Iob. 37 The amitie of it is enmitie with God Ia. 4.4 Vse this world as though you vsed it not saith Paule 1. Cor. 7. These 3 things may withdrawe a man from desiring long life in this world The wretchednes of his life The grieuousnes of his sinnes The greatnes of his accompt because it is but a continual temptation and full of miserie because they will more increase by cōtinuance because it wil be the more fearefull at the yeelding vp The godlie desire to be out of this world Because it is variable and nothing but vanitie Because of the innumerable euills they are subiect to Because they long to be cloathed with the heauenlie habit Life is verie sweete and so sweete that it hath prouoked the godlie to prolong the safetie of it by shifts Dauid doubting of euill dealing fained himselfe mad to saue his life 1. Sam. 21.13.14 Paule perceiuing their crueltie that would kill him had rather in the night bee let downe in a basket than abide Acts 9.25 Peter fearing death did forsweare his master Iohn 18.27 The faithfull and godlie in this world doo dailie Fight Faint Fall by reason of their Aduersarie Infidelitie Infirmitie Yet they shall not be cast away Psal 37.24 These 3. things are worthie to be considered He that liueth best doth dailie sinne He is happie that hath grace to repent He is blessed to whom God imputeth no sin Although euery man is a sinner yet euerie sinne is not of like consideration for some sinne of Ignorance of Infirmitie of Malice as Paule did 1. Tim. 1.13 as Dauid did 2. Sam. 11.2 c. as Nebuchad-nezzer did Dan. 3.1 Euerie sinner must beware of these three things of procrastination presumption prouocation In delaying the time of repentance Matth. 24.50 In sinning still vpon hope Rom. 6.1 In sinning obstinatlie against the holie Ghost Sinne is nothing els but A sweet poyson A flattering death A destructiō of the soule wherof there be two sorts Original Actuall Adam did further his fall and increase his sinne in the garden three waies By ambition By hypocrisie By impenitencie because he thought to be as God knowing good from euill Gen. 3.6 because hee hid the cause of his nakednes which was the breach of Gods commandements Gen. 3.10 because hee was so farre from acknowledging his transgression that he burdened God with his fault in that hee had giuen him a wife Gen. 3.12 It appeareth by this that sinne is Excerable Detestable Intollerable because it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth Gen. 6.6 because hee destroyeth dumme creatures for our cause Zephan 1. vers 3. because hee would not spare his onelie sonne for our sinnes It is an exceeding comfort to a Sinner to consider That God is as well a father as a Lord. That Christ is as well a
said fifteene hundred yeres more since The day of the Lord is at hand and yet the world indure we must not suppose those words to be friuolous or frustrate for thereby the Lord doth make manifest vnto vs his infinite wisdome his exceeding mercie in computation of yeares in delaying of the day Because he doth not reckō or record the time according to our knowledge or reason for one day is with him as a thousand yeres and a thousand yeres as one day Psal 90.4 Because hee would not haue vs perish but would all men to come to repentance 2. Pet. 3.9 Because we doo not vse the bountifulnes of his patience long sufferance accordingly Ro. 2.4 in cōsideration thereof our impendent miserie We must yeeld accompt at the latter day of all our sinnes committed in cogitation communication action Our thoughts shall either accuse or excuse vs. Rom. 2.15 Our words shall either iustifie or condemne vs. Matth. 12.37 Our workes shall then haue their due reward Hebr. 9.27 Our great accusers at the yeelding vp of our last account shall be the lawe the diuell our conscience besides that We shall stand belples before so manie Iudges as haue excelled vs in good works We shal be cast by so many euidences as haue giuen vs example of good life We shall bee conuinced with 〈◊〉 witnesses as haue admonished vs with wholsome counsell and by their vertuous deedes haue been patternes for vs to imitate The Pope doth rather prefer than make himselfe equall with the excellencie of our Sauiour Christ He will bee the supreame of all the world exempting himselfe from al obedience to any earthly prince or reuerence to any people when Christ was content to acknowledge the authoritie of the Magistrate in paying toll yea euen to such as were enemies to Religion Matth. 17.27 He giueth out his feete to bee kissed of men euen of Kings and Emperours when Christ did neuer so lay foorth his feete but that hee washed and wiped his poore Disciples feete and that because they should doo as he had done to them Ioh. 13.5 15. He doth of pitie free one or other euerie daie from the parties of Purgatorie when our Sauiour Christ did free none at all from those hellish paines The soule of man doth after death goe either to ioy or paine immediatlie whereof there bee three examples besides manifest proofes that may flatlie refell the erronious opinions of such as falslie affirme there is a Purgatorie The soule of Lazarus receiued into Abrahams bosome Luke 16.22 The soule of the theefe ascending into Paradise Lu. 23.33 The soule of the rich man descending into hel Luke 16.23 These three things are worthie to be continuallie noted The secrets of God are vnsearchable The ioyes of heauen are vnspeakable The paines of hell are intollerable A vertuous man disposeth his waie in this world Prudentlie Penitentlie Prouidentlie To dispose and order things present To consider his misdeedes past To prouide and forsee for things to come S Paul diuideth man into parts Spirit Soule Bodie for then is man fullie sanctified when his minde thinketh nothing when his will couets nothing when his bodie executes nothing contrarie to the will of GOD. Thes 5.23 A godlie Christian ought to liue in this world Barnard Soberlie Iustlie Godlie concerning himselfe concerning his neighbour concerning God That he keep his bodie temperatly without abusing the gifts of God wantonlie or wastfullie That he deale plainly vprightly and charitablie without dissimulation That he presume not too much of himselfe but referre all to Gods good pleasure prouidence A man should not doo amisse saith Augustine If forgetfulnes confound not his memorie If error obscure not his vnderstanding If iniquitie depraue not his will The state of man is three waies to bee considered by creation by fall and sinne by regeneration he was made like to the image of God which image is expounded here Ephes 4.24 he became slaue vnto Sathan so procured the same thraldome to al posterities he is ingrafted into christ by faith and in him hath recouered his former right A man is happie in this world that can Reioyce in aduersitie Beare all crosses patientlie Lament his sinne sorowfullie following the example of Paul 2. Cor. 11.30 Iob. 1. verse 1. Peter Luke 22.62 Euerie man should alwaies bee mindfull of his Creation Conuersation Dissolution Because he is dust to dust he shall returne Gen. 3. Because hee must one daie yeeld accompt of his liuing Eccle. 12.24 Because his end is vncertain and as he falles such iudgement followes Eccl. 11.3 Herein consists the whole duetie of man towards God To feare him To loue him To keepe his commandements for his iustice for his goodnes to confirme it Because it is horrible to fall into his hāds Heb. 10.31 Because hee loued vs first 1. Ioh 4.19 Because those that loue him will keepe his cōmandements 2. Ioh. 5.3 S. Iames willeth euerie man to be Swift to heare Slowe to speake Slowe to wrath Iames. 1.19 No man hath cause to glorie in himself if hee consider what he is of himselfe By Substance By Nature By Knowledge he was made of the dust Gen. 3.7 he is the childe of wrath Ephe. 2.3 he is but a beast Ier. 10.14 For a man to glorie or attribute anie praise to himselfe in anie good attempts it is Vanitie Arrogancie Iniquitie Because of himselfe he cannot think a good thought much lesse doo a good deed 2. Cor. 3.5 Because he attributeth that to himselfe which is proper to GOD for euerie good and perfect gift commeth from aboue Iam. 1.17 Because he doth not acknowledge the giuer thankfullie for all praise and glorie is to be giuen to God Colos 3.17 Herod by abridging God of his glory came to a most miserable end Acts. 12.23 This may abate the hie aspiring mind of man His birth being sinfull Eccl. 10.9 His life being miserable Eccl. 10.9 His body being worms meat Eccl. 10.9 Euerie man must haue a godlie care to liue in this world Because GOD hath commanded he should labour sixe daies Exo. 20.9 Because he is worse than an infidell that prouideth not for his houshold 1. Tim. 5.8 Because he may auoid the inconuenience of idlenes 2. Thessa 3.10 which bringeth much euill Prouer. 12.11 A good Christian ought to be Wise Simple Foolish wise vnto that which is good Rom. 16.19 simple concerning euill Rom. 16.19 foolish in respect of this world 1. Cor. 1.20 Heretickes and erronious persons are verie dangerous to be permitted amongst godlie christians considering Their condition Their corruptiō The season Because they thinke it not enough to erre and doo euill themselues except they drawe others with them as appeareth in Esa 30.10 Wisd 14.21 Because by cōtinuance they will defile manie Hebr. 12.15 For a little leauen leaueneth the whole lūpe 1. Cor. 5.7 Because in these latter times many shall giue heede to Spirits of errour and doctrine of diuels 1. Tim. 4.1 Wicked men are
Sauiour as a Iudge That the Scripture include as well a Gospell as a Law Sinners should not dispaire of Gods mercie if they did but perceiue his goodnes which apeareth vnto them By his readines in calling By his worthines in sparing By his vnwillingnes in striking before they crie saith the Lord I will answere and whilest they are yet thinking what to speake I will heare Esa 65.24 he maketh as though he sawe not the sins of men because they should amend Wisd 11.20 he taketh no pleasure in the destruction but in the cōuersion of sinners Ezek. 18.23 What greater comfort can sinners haue sith Christ himselfe saith Aske and ye shall haue Seeke and ye shall finde Knock it shal be opened vnto you I stande at the dore knock c. Apoc. 3.20 He that wil obtaine mercie by true repentance Must acknowledge his sinnes sorowfullie with the prodigall sonne Must shewe a heartie contrition for the same and loath them Must do good workes worthie amendment afterward Asts. 26.20 He that is fullie perswaded of the forgiuenes of his sinnes it behoueth him to remember these three things the mercie of God the subtiltie of Sathan the frailtie of himselfe That he be thankfull vnto him for his gratious goodnesse shewen vnto him by remitting his offences receiuing him into his fauor That hee watch and praie continuallie for the diuell goeth about like a roaring Lyon seeking whō hee maie deuoure 1. Pet. 5.8 That seeing his own infirmities hee may the rather depende vpon God craue his mercie to increase his faith and strengthē his weaknes or els he shal not be able to withstād the opposite euills he is subiect to God sheweth himselfe to all his people Merciful Good Iust to the elect to the reprobat to both of them In pardoning their sinnes Albeit they cannot feele the sweete comfort of the same In giuing iudgement The Lord wil not reiect the suite of a Sinner neither accept of it vnlesse in asking hee hath a special regard of these three things Of the time Of the manner Of the end For the Lord will not bee found at all times but requireth oportunitie Hereof faith the Prophet Esai seeke the Lord while hee may be found cal vpon him while he is nere Esai 55.6 The fiue foolish virgins cōming too late were excluded Matth. 25.12 For the Lord will not onlie haue such as call vpō him depart from iniquitie but wil also haue their praiers proceed frō the verie hart Then shalt thou call saith the same Prophet to the hypocrites and the Lord shall answere thou shalt crie and he shall say here I am Esai 58.9 For God requireth not only importunitie of vs in asking as appeareth by the woman of Canaan Matth. 15.28 but also respecteth the end of our requestes in asking according to his will otherwise wee maie aske and receiue not because wee aske amisse to consume it on our lustes Iam. 4.3 Hee that will reclaime a sinner must obserue three things in handling of him which the Apostle S. Peter practised with the Iewes Acts. 3.13 14 15 17 29. Demonstration of the matter Reprehension of the offence Exhortation to the sinner In shewing him by the word of God it is a sinne that it may so appeare vnto him whereby he may the better acknowledge it before God In reproouing him by the iudgements of GOD pronounced against the same that hee may both heare the punishment he hath worthelie deserued and also thereby be the more terrified from attempting euill In perswading him by the promises of Gods mercie that he may not onelie bee driuen from dispaire but also by that meanes bee drawne to amendement The same notable example of Manasses in his conuersion doth minister singuler matter to euerie Sinner wherein he may note three speciall causes for his comfort 1. That GOD will punish the wicked that he intendeth to saue that by this meanes they may seeke him by repentance according to that same saying of the Psalmist When he slew them they sought him and returned and sought God earlie Psal 78.34 2. That the mercie of GOD is verie great who although he will not suffer sinne to passe vnpunished yet hee is readie to forgiue though it be verie grieuous as he hath promised by the Prophet Esaias to such as heartilie repent Esai 5.7 8 9. 3. That those whom GOD hath thus called are not to returne to their sinnes as the dogge to his vomite but as becommeth newe borne children to liue in holines and righteousnes all the daies of their life Luke 1.75 The manifold examples in the Scriptures of the falling and rising of the godlie were done of God amongst other considerations to this end For the glorie of himselfe For the good of them For the profite of others Because he will haue his power knowne to preuaile aboue his Creatures that it is hee that can make them rise and fall at his good pleasure Because he wil haue their owne imperfections infirmities appeare vnto them what they are of them-selues if hee doth faile them but a little to the ende they should not presume of themselues but altogether depend vppon his prouidence and mercie Because such as bee almost drowned in the deapth of their sinnes should not fall into desperation cōsidering the verie elect haue offended most horriblie but that they should bee incouraged therby to call for grace seeing his hād is not yet shortned but that he can helpe others as hee did those Esai 59.1 Euerie particuler example is not sufficient to prooue or establish a generall doctrine for then wee might beleeue 3. things lawfull which are not to be allowed That women might minister the Sacramēts because Zipporah did circumcise her sonne Exod. 4 25. That wee ought to praie for the dead because Iudas did so 2. Mac. 12.44 That wee may desperatlie kill our selues because Razis did so whō the author of the Maccha much commendeth 2. Maccha 14.41 God sometimes suffereth his seruants yea the most godlie to bee vexed with Sathan That they should not be puffed vp with any presumption of themselues That they may be made perfect by that continuall exercise 1. Cor 12.9 That they ought the more earnestlie to be instant in praier God trieth his children many waies in this world sometimes By prosperitie By pouertie By persecution To see if they will repose more felicitie in their goodes than in him that gaue them as he did by Abrahā in offering his sonne Gen. 22.1.2 To see if they wil not as patientlie depart from their goods as he was willing to bestow them as he did by Iob by taking away all he had Iob. 1. To see if they will rather denie him than die in his defence as hee did by manie Prophets Apostles and godlie Martirs God keepeth his children commonlie in this world sparinglie That they may not be too proud with prosperitie That by this meanes they may the better fee their owne miserie That thereby
both in bodie and soule to serue him who hath saued vs. This brieflie is to be obserued in a whore Prouer. 5. She brings a man to a morsell of bread She hunts for the precious life of him She leades him the hie waie to hell She is compared to a dogge to a sowe to dung Eccle. 26. A whore is to be abandoned if it were but for these causes Because God hath forbidden anie such to be suffered Deut. 23.17 Because she increaseth the transgressors among men Pro. 23.28 Because she enuieth honest and vertuous women 2 Esd 16.42 There bee three things maie terrifie a theefe in his lewd attempts The precept God hath set downe The positiue lawe of this land The importable iudgement to come that is Thou shalt not steale Exod. 20. Death of bodie Destruction both of bodie and soule A theefe by following one that is the diuell he offendeth three Hee displeaseth God He hurteth his neighbor He hateth his own soule by breaking his commandement by taking away his right by following sin Pro. 29. This inconuenience commeth of idlenes When one is rooted in it it will hardlie be remoued Whē he hath the end of his lust it wil be most lothsome When he is so idle the diuell is most occupied There bee three things that grieued the wiseman A man of warre that suffereth pouertie Men of vnderstanding that are not set by When one departeth from righteousnes to sinne Eccle. 26.29 God punisheth his people for their sinnes with three kind of plagues which commonlie goe together Warre Famine Pestilence and where he blesseth there followeth 3. benefites Peace Plentie Salubritie Christian Souldiers fight but faintlie if they want these weapons The shield of faith The helmet of hope The sword of the spirit Ephe. 6. Euerie Christian Souldier hath three enemies to encounter with The lewd affections of themselues Iam. 4.1 The euill prouocations of the pleope The daily suggestions of Sathan Ephe. 6.12 There were three persons spared in the old lawe from going on warfare He that was betrothed to a maide Deut. 20.7 He that was but new maried Deu. 24.5 He that was faint hearted Deut. 20.8 God sendeth raine cold heate tempest and such like oftentimes To punish man To profite the earth To declare his fauour towards man Iob. 37.13 c. One may lawfullie eate flesh at all times so it be done without scruple or doubting without offence of our brother without breach of godlie orders For euery creature of God is good and nothing ought to be refused if it be receiued with thankes-giuing 1. Tim. 4.4 Our meates are sanctified to vs by the word of God and praier Beza 1. Tim. 4.5 Because we confesse acknowledge that God is the maker giuer of those creatures which we vse Because wee are of the number of those who through Christes benefite haue recouered that right ouer all creatures which Adam lost by his fall Because by our praiers wee craue of the Lord that we may vse those meats with a good conscience which we receiue at his hands Such as by their doctrine will make difference of meates the same may be called diuellish or deceiptfull in three respects Beza Because the teachers of them make lawes of things which are not their owne for GOD created the meates Because they ouerthrowe with their decrees the end wherefore they were made of GOD to wit that we should vse them Because by this meanes they robbe GOD of his glorie who will bee honored in the vse of them Our behauiour ought to be vsed To our better reuerentlie To our equall louinglie To our vnderling lowlie We ought to call our elder father our yonger brother Euery man our neibor Mariage was instituted for three ends For a remedie against incontinencie For the propagation of children For the consolation of man and woman It is allowed of the Patriarkes commended by the Prophets followed of the Apostles Men are made chast three manner of waies Matth. 19.12 by Nature by Arte by Grace Such as are so borne of their mothers bellie Such as bee made chast by men Such as haue made thēselues chast for heauen We haue great cause to reioyce at these daies more than our predecessors had Because Christ hath made easie vnto vs that importable yoke they were subiect too Matth. 11.31 Because he hath brought vs the glad tidings of saluation which they longed to see Rom. 16.17 Because many Prophets and righteous men haue desired to see these daies Matth. 13.17 Although honest mirth be tollerable yet foolish or excessiue mirth is Vaine Wicked Dangerous because such mirth shal be mingled with mourning and the ende of such ioy is lamentation because thereby wee cleane forget the means that should make vs remēber our miserie Eccle. 7.4 because our Sauiour Christ saith wo bee to them that now laugh for they shall waile and weepe Luke 6.25 There be three kind of fooles Such as are naturallie borne without wit those those as Salomon saith are a griefe to the father a heauines to her that bare them Pro. 17.21 25. Such as become fooles and are so contented to be counted in this world that they may bee wise in the world to come 1. Cor. 3.18 Such as are giuen ouer to their owne lusts and follow al kind of filthines these are they whom Dauid calleth fooles who lewdlie saie in their hearts as they falslie thinke there is no God Psal 53.1 A wise man is noted and discerned three maner of waies By discreet silence By modest speach By sober life For as Salomon saith a foole by holding his peace is counted wise Prouer. 27.28 not that any should bee restrained of speach but that they should obserue oportunitie in speaking Hereof saith the Philosopher Qui nescit tacere nescit loqui For it is proper to fooles to bee full of friuolous talke but hee that hath knowledge saith the Wise man spareth his words Prouer. 17.27 For he that is heauenlie wise indeed will as S. Iames saith shew by conuersation his workes in meeknes of wisedome Iam. 3.13 Sicknes is verie necessarie for man Because thereby he is put in minde of his owne frailtie Eccle. 7.4 Because thereby he shall bee better incited to call vppon God 2. King 20.2 Because it is a testimonie vnto him of the loue of God Hebr. 12 6. He that is loath to frame himselfe to dye especiallie in sicknes doth shewe himselfe Vnnaturall Vnwise Wretched because he so little desires to be at home with his heauenlie father considering hee is here but as a stranger and a pilgrime Hebr. 11.13 because hee taketh felicitie in the vanitie of this world considering the fashion of it goes away 1. Cor. 7.13 because hee had rather still liue to augment his miserie than frame himselfe by a godlie ende to imbrace eternall blessednes In our sicknes we ought to remember To seeke to God to purge our sinnes which are the chiefe cause of all our diseases To vse the helpe of the Phisitian as a meane by whom God worketh To dispose our temporall goodes where they may make most to his glorie that gaue them For a man to make his Will in sicknes or health it is Lawfull Godlie Necessarie because the Lord willed Hezekiah to put his house in order before he died 2. King 20.1 because his minde being quiet in worldlie matters he shall the better applie it to heauenlie motiōs because a good stay being made it shall cut off occasion of cōtention that may happen afterward The mindes of men are verie mutable and their opinions especiallie such as be peruerse are verie scrupulous to please for He that did well offended some and yet was an Apostle Paul 2. Cor. 11.24 He that did worse pleased many and yet was but a Beast Herod Acts. 12.22 He that did best of all could not please al and yet was a God Christ Ioh. 10.20 England hath 3. especiall causes to be continuallie thankful to God for The free passage of the Gospell The blessed time of Peace The godly Gouernour thereof which Passage Peace Prince the Lord for his mercie sake still prosper preserue protect Amen FINIS