to whom it were sent wold not take it but refuse it despitefully or contemne it the man that sent it might well thinke he had contemned and disdained him and not his gift or present but what might hee thinke if hee should cast it into the dyrt and trample it vnder his feete Therefore if hee did as hee ought to do he should consider when he receiued the token the minde and good will of his friend that sent or gaue it and according therevnto to esteeme and receiue it So likewise if we do as we ought to do in beeing partakers of these holy Mysteries we should rather consider the minde and good will of our louer Christ then the Bread and Wine which we see yea if we do not altogither consider Christes minde and purpose in this behalfe we deale vnhonestly and strumpâ— like with him For it is the propertie of Strumpets to consider the things giuen and sent them rather then the good will and minde of the giuer and sender whereof the true louers doo not consider in any point the value of the things giuen or sent but the minde and good will of the partie So we if we be true Louers of Christ must not consider barely the outward things as the Bread and Wine which wee see and our senses perceiue but rather altogither wee must viewe and consider the minde of Christ and therafter and according to it to esteeme and account of the same 4 Like as if a wilfull and rebellious subiect should no more esteeme or regard his Princes seale then other common wax or haue it in no greater reuerence then the seale of some priuate man it might rightly be said that hee maketh no difference of his Princes person that is to say that he doth no more esteeme him then hee doth other men yet it needeth not that the Kings person bee there really present So when we come to the Lordes table if we take vnreuerently the misticall Bread and Wine as other common meates appointed for the bellie then make wee no difference of the Lordes Body wee doo not esteeme the worthinesse price and vertue of it which in the holy Mysteries is so freely and so liberally offered vnto vs. And therefore if we receiue this Sacrament vnreuerently not considering who is the Author of it nor who it is that offereth himselfe so mercifully and louingly vnto vs it is no maruell therefore that the holy Apostle saith that we are guiltie of the Body and bloud of the Lord that is to say that we are before the seate of Almightie God because of our vnthankfulnesse and vnreuerent handling of the holy Mysteries counted as guiltie as if wee had slaine the Body of the onely begotten sonne of GOD and shead his most precious bloud vpon the Crosse Or it is no maruell that in stead of grace in stead of forgiuegesse of our sinnes and of life euerlasting wee doo eate and drinke our owne damnation And yet it followeth not that the Body and bloud of Christ be really present there in the Sacrament Christes naturall and immortall Body can be but in one place at once and not in many places 1 LIke as the Soule of man vnited to his Body cannot be a Body because it is a spirit Euen so the like is of the Body and of the Soule of Iesus Christ and of his diuine and humaine nature of the which euerie one of them holdeth so continually his properties that the one cannot be that the other is For albeit that they be vnited together by personall vnion yet for all they remaine alway distinct in their vnitie according to their properties and not confused in such sort that the one cannot be the other wherefore wee may not say at all that the Diuinitie is the humanitie or that the humanitie is the Diuinitie nor that the one is conuerted into the other For if there were such a conuersion they should no more be that which they are but should bee chaunged into other natures which thing cannot be For God can neuer bee but God Wherefore hee cannot be conuerted into man but he may vnite man to himselfe as he hath done in the person of his Sonne Iesus Christ Likewise man cannot bee conuerted into God for so much as he is a creature and that God which is the Creator of all cannot bee created but is without beginning as hee is without end and infinite the which thing cannot agree with any creature From whence it followeth that the Gods which are created are no Gods at all but are onely creatures or else vaine illusions or imaginations And as the substance of GOD cannot bee conuerted into that of man nor that of man into that of God for otherwise God should not be God nor man should not be man at all Euen so neither the one nor the other may be without his conuenient and naturall properties belonging to the diuine nature it is no more diuine nature but humaine In like sort if the Sacramentall signes of the Body and bloud of Iesus Christ haue the naturall properties which do belong to the Bread and to the Wine as they haue indeed if they haue their qualities and accidents and these same effects they are not then really and substancially the Body and bloud of him but Bread and Wine remaining alwaies in their substance with their accidents 2 As the bodie of the Sunne and light of it are so ioyntly ioyned together that the one cannot be seperated from the other yet it followeth not that wheresoeuer the light of the Sunne is there the body of the Sunne must be also For as the Sunne being still in the Element according to the order that God hath appointed among vs his creatures doth wtth his light refresh comfort and quicken all things here vpon earth So our Sauiour Christ Iesus who is the true Sonne of righteousnesse being still vntill the time that God hath appointed on the right hand of his Father touching his manhood that is to say aboue in heauen in the place of beatitude felicitie and ioy raigning there with the Father in equall glorie and maiestie doth continually assist aide and comfort his Church by his holy spirit being alwaies present with his elect and chosen by his diuine Maiestie prouidence and inuisible grace whom hee doth not cease through his almightie power the spirit being the worker of it to feede still with the wholsome foode of his most precious flesh and bloud Now as it were most noysome and hurtfull vnto all the whole earth if we had here belowe the Body of the Sunne so is it not expedient that the Church and Congregation of the faithful should haue Christ still present here touching his humanitie and manhood For so he saith Iohn 16.7 3 As no man can denie but that the eye and the sight of it be so ioyntly and inseperably ioyned together that as long as the eye is whole and sound the one cannot be seperated from the other yet
light to euery thing although there bee that receiue no light at all at it Euen so Christ is called the light of the world although a great number haue no part of the grace of his light yet his Redemption is vniuersall because it is so appointed vnto all men that without it none is nor can be redeemed Iohn 8.12 9.5 1. Timo. 2.6 Christ receiued by faith 1 A As the naturall body receiueth life from the head and is dead without it and as the braunch though it be neuer so neare the Vine-stock yet if it abide not in it and growe not in it hath no life there from and therefore withereth and if it abide in it then it liketh and fructifieth And as the hungrie and thirstie man hath not the benefite of meate and drinke to liue by by comming where it is seeing it and knowing it but by eating and drinking thereof and digesting it so that by force of nature there growe an vnion betwixt him and his meate Euen so it is as necessarie that the faithfull bee vnited to their head Christ spiritually engrafted into him and grow in him by faith and that euery one that would be saued eate him and drinke him and that so effectually as that hee may be their spirituall foode For if it be thus they shall liue for euer by him otherwise they remaine in death wither and must perish Neither is it sufficient that wee heare or reade of him and his merites and passion but they must bee receiued by faith Col. 1.18 Ephe. 1.22.23 Iohn 6.53 54 55. 2 As meat drink being set before vs is taken in by eating thereof to our temporall nourishment Euen so Christ is as surely apprehended of vs by faith to our spiritual maintenance in the word preached and Sacraments ministred which are the dishes wherin one and the selfesame Christ is offered vnto vs. 3 As the Soule naturally ioyned to the body bringeth forth her effects So Christ dwelling in vs by faith and the holy Ghost after a spirituall manner and by a spirituall vertue doth shewe his power in vs to inable vs to resist sinne and to bridle the corrupt desires of the flesh 1. Pet. 4.1 4 As there can bee no eating without taking or receiuing of meate So no beleeuing in Christ without a spirituall receiuing and apprehending of him How the two Tables of the 10. Commaundements be alike AS one man may be like an other in nature and qualitie although the one exceede the other in greatnesse degree and dignitie c. Euen so the second Table of the 10. Commaundements is like in qualitie and condition vnto the first yet they are not equall for the first is in degree of more dignitie and excellencie then the second Math. 22.39 Confession of our euill deeds to God 1 LIke as Beggers if they haue any good thing doo conceale and hide it and doo onely shewe their ragges and their soares wherby they may moue and stirre the compassion of the beholders to pittie them Euen so it behoueth vs not to boast our good deedes before God as the Pharisie did but to professe and confesse our euill deedes if wee will prouoke the Lord his mercie towards vs as the Publican did Luk. 18.9.10.11 c. 2 As a man that hath money to pay whilest hee hath it in his hand is loath to part with it but when he hath once paide it he is glad that it is discharged and would not for any thing it were to pay againe Euen so men before they haue confessed their sinnes are vnwilling to disburthen themselues of them but when Confession is once made they haue eased their hearts and discharged their consciences conceiuing such comfort as they would not for all the world it were to doo againe Psal 91 1 2. c. 3 As they which haue in their stomacks meate vndigested or store of ill humours are eased if they vomit them vp So if sinners and euill dooers doo Confesse their sinnes to God they shal finde ease in their soules and consciences Proud Persecutors which thinke that without Gods leaue they may deale as they list with Christians LIke as King Kantus sometime King of this Realme standing by the water side aftet a great raine and marking how the water did rise which by leisure so encreased that it wet his feete where he stood and hee beeing so proud in heart thought that whatsoeuer he said euerie thing would obey straight commaunded the water that â—t should arise no further nor wet his maisters feete any more but when he sawe that the water rose still and would not obey him but ranne into his shooes hee perceiued his foolishnes and confessed there was a God and â— King aboue him whom onely the waters would obey Euen so all greedie Churles and couetous Cormorants â—hall well perceiue when they haue wrought themselues wearie and gotten little that all encrease comes from the â—ord and not of themselues Psal 75.6.7 127.1 2. â—ro 10.22 Luk. 5.5.6 Christ a most wholesome medicine and and salue to all poore sinners 1 AS the brazen Serpent was eleuated and lifted vp in the Desart by Moses for to heale all those that did looke vpon it So it was necessarie that our Sauiour Iesus Christ as he himselfe doth witnesse should be hanged vpon the Crosse and lifted vp on high for to heale all those that be deadly stung and wounded by the old Serpent the diuell Nomb. 21.8 Iohn 3.14 12.31 32 33. 2 As the brazen Serpent had the figure forme and shape of a Serpent and yet it was no Serpent no nor yet had any venome or poyson So our Sauiour Christ did take vpon him the shape of a sinner and yet he was no sinner but was and is a most wholesome medicine and soueraigne salue vnto all poore sinners that doo behold and looke vpon him by faith and that seeke for saluation no where else but in the onely merits of his death and passion Heb. 4.15 3 As there was no Phisicke Medicine or Salue that could heale those that were stung of the firie Serpents but only the looking vpon the brazeÌ„ Serpent that was erected and set vp by the commaundement of God Euen so haue we no maner of Phisicke or salue against sinne and euerlasting death or any other obiect or marke set before the eyes of our faith to behold for to bring soule health and saluation vnto vs but onely Iesus Christ being crucified who is giuen vnto vs of God For it doth not belong vnto vs to chuse the medicine or salue but it pertaineth to God our soueraigne Phisition who alone is able to heale vs from this deadly sicknesse who also alone knoweth what medicine or salue is necessarie for vs. 4 And as it is not in our power to finde the medicine of saluation so can we not of our selues finde the maner and meanes how to vse and applie the same For as in the sicknesse of the body the sicke
of high or lowe degree in this world ought continually to haue his faith and hope surely built and grounded vppon Christ and to haue his heart and minde fast fixed and setled in him and to follwe him through thicke and thinne through fire and water through warres and peace through hunger and colde through friendes and foes through a thousand perilles and daungers through the surges and waues of enuie malice hatred euill speeches railing sentences contempt of the world flesh and diuell and euen in death it selfe bee it neuer so bitter cruell and tyranicall yet neuer to loose the sight and viewe of Christ neuer to giue ouer our faith hope and trust in him Can. 8.6 Psal 16.8 9. Heb. 12.2 38 As all Riuers of waters go into the Sea because they came out of it and so returne to the place whence they came So likewise euery good Christian ought to go and prease towards GOD with all his heart strength and power because hee came out from him and was created of him Hee ought therefore to looke vppon him with the eyes of a steadfast and constant faith grounded vpon his word Eccle. 1.7 39 Euen as in the midst of the Sphere is the Centre from which all lines beeing drawne doo tend towards their circumference So a good Christian man hath God for his circumference for whatsoeuer he thinketh speaketh or dooth it tendeth to Christ of whom hee is compassed round about Psal 32.10 91.4 c. 125.2 40 As some Infidels that know not Christ but are meere strangers vnto him do thinke it better to loose their liues then to violate their promises and oathes made to their enemies euen so much more Christians in such cases ought to be true and constant Ezech. 17.18 19. Iosu 9.14.18 41 Euen as mens hands were made that the one might helpe the other and the feete also because they be members of one the same body So is it the dutie of all Christians one to succour and to relieue an other in afflictions and troubles seeing the Church of God is a certaine body whereof wee are members 1. Cor. 12.26 27. Ephe. 5.30 42 As it should be against nature that one foote should hinder or smite an other So it is very vnreasonable and vngodly that one Christian should not comfort and relieue an other in their tribulations and wants Gal. 6.2 43 Like as if Hearbes watered do stil continue drie we iustly say they are dead So likewise we cannot aduow or assure our selues to be Christians watered with the spirit of Christ so long as in stead of bearing fruite by amendment of life we continue drie and withered 44 As he is not rightly called a rich man that can tell how and by what meanes a man may be exceeding rich but hee that hath riches of his owne and dooth possesse them So hee is not a good and right Christian man that can according to knowledge dispute and reason of vertue and godlinesse and can describe and define of the same but hee that is endued with vertue and possessed with true godlinesse and doth most willingly practise the same in the whole course of his life both with his friends and with his foes that man and such a woman is rightly called and is indeede a true Christian in whom the Lord hath great delight 1. Cor. 8.1 45 As burning candles doo giue light vntil they be consumed So likewise godly Christians must bee occupied in doing of good so long as they shal liue Gal. 6.9.10 46 As vnto the vngodly man said God why doest thou Preach my Lawes and takest my couenant in thy mouth whereas thou hatest to me reformed and haste cast my words behinde thee So we may be wel assured that it is not inough for Christians to haue the Gospell in their mouthes but they must expresse the truth thereof in their liues for is not inough to haue the name of a Christian but to be found a Christian indeed 47 As nature helped not Abrahams owne children but because they lacked Abrahams workes they are called Diuels sonnes So likewise the bare and naked name of a Christian without vertue is a bare title without veritie and profiteth not any at all 48 As the Paschall Lambe was eaten with sowre hearbs and vnleauened bread So the faithful Christian ought to repent him of his euill life past and to giue himselfe to puritie of life Exod. 12.8 49 Euen as a man that passeth through a strong floud or streame on foote least he stumble and fall downe setteth his eye steadily vpon the firme Land which he mindeth to attaine vnto and marketh not the swift course of the water and so goeth ouer safely and is nothing dismayed So likewise a sound and good Christian passing the raging waues of present troubles turneth away his sight his thought and all apprehension that he might otherwise haue of the miserie of them and lifting vp his eyes to heauen beholdeth there with a spirituall regard the inestinable treasures of the heauenly inheritance which hee striueth vnto and by this meanes easily surmounteth all horrour and feare of torments and griefes which commonly make alterations in mens heads and casteth them headlong into desperation 50 Euen as euery beast that is striken with lightning turneth his face toward the lightning So likewise if Christians will haue regard to God when he pleaseth them he will compel them also to haue an eye to him when hee strikes them Psal 78.34.5 51 Like as the deawy drops after great heate doth cherish the grasse Euen so good Christians do bring forth workes of mercie pittie comfort and refreshing to the people amongst whom they do liue and are conuersant Mica 5.7 Common-wealth 1 AS they which do learne Musicke at the first doo leese breake and marre sundrie Instruments as Gitterns and Lutes So the Common-wealth susteineth great detriment and losse wherein Magistrates rude and vnskilful do rule 2 As it is a thing most hard and daungerous to roote vp olde trees and to plant them of new So without great tumult and vprore you cannot alter the olde custome and vsage of the Common-wealth 3 As water mingled with wine maketh it more moderate So olde men ioyned with young men in the administration of the Common-wealth is most necessarie 4 Euen as a body without a soule is dead because it vseth not the sinewes ioynts nor members So that Common-wealth or that Citie may well and truly be said to be dead where good Lawes godly Statutes and holy Ordinances are not vsed and put in practise which are the sure binding bands of mans societie and the principall parts of a Common-wealth Common people AS they which frequent and haunt the schoole of defence do liue striue contend and fight one with an other So of the Common-people one loueth the other spoileth each other Carelesse men who forbeare to do well because others will not do so 1 LIke as if an Housholder hauing many seruants and much worke
the people of his Church and powreth out aboundaunce of his blessings vppon them Esay 44.3 The growth of grace by Christs death AS Wheate except it bee sowen in the ground and there die doth not spring againe and so multiplie Euen so the knowledge of those benefites which wee haue by Christ are encreased grewe and multiplyed throughout the whole world by his death Iohn 12.24 Calling 1 LIkewise a sword being committed into the hands of a Souldier by the Captaine generall hee is not to smite before he bee commaunded to fight and before the Trumpet bee sounded to battell Euen so though a man haue excellents giuen him yet hee is not to execute any function especially publikely before hee receiue a particular warrant and Calling from God Reue. 16.1 2 As Sampson though he had strength giuen him that he was able to haue defended the Israelites and reuenged them of their enemies yet hee could not take vpon him the gouernment of the people vntill such time that the Lord had called him vnto it So likewise the Ministers of the word albeit they haue neuer so notable gifts of knowledge vtterance c. yet they are not in any case to entrude themselues into the Ministerie vnlesse they haue a particular Calling from the Lord. 3 As the Ostrige hath wings and flieth not So some men haue a Calling but they answere it not they haue knowledge but they practise it not they haue words but they worke not 4 Like as if a straunger should violently thrust in himselfe to bee the shepheard of thy sheepe thou wouldest aske him who sent for him what hee hadde to doo there and thou wouldest rather thinke him to bee a theefe and a murtherer of thy sheepe then to bee a faithfull and trustie seruant So surely if thou come to take charge of Gods people before he inwardly moue thy conscience to pitie his people and outwardly by order call and place thee where hee thinkes good hee will iudge thee a theefe a woolfe a deuourer and not a feeder Beautie AS a Ring or Iewell of Gold is very vnseemely and dooth not become the filthy snoute of a swine that is alwayes rooting in the dyrt and myer So vncomely is Beautie to a woman that hath not wit nor discretion to behaue her selfe Benefites AS the Moone doth shew her light in the world which she receiueth from the Sunne so we ought to bestow the Benefits receiued of God to the profit and commoditie of our neighbour The Authoritie of the Church not aboue the word of God 1 LIke as it is not reason nor iust that a Wife should controll or be superiour and aboue her Husbands word and commaundement hauing a wise and discreete Husband to gouerne and commaund her So likewise it is no reason or right whatsoeuer the Papists say that the Authoritie of the Church which is the Wife should be greater and of more force then the word and will of the Husband Christ Iesus Ephe. 5.24 2 As man is not aboue God nor the Wife aboue the Husband for otherwise to say the one is blasphemie and the other absurd Euen so it is blasphemie and absurd to say that the Authoritie of the Church is greater then the word and Scriptures of God Wise Counsell of a friend AS the sent and sauour of a sweete Oyntment or Perfume is comfortable to the braines and heart So is the wise and heartie Counsell of a mans assured friend Pro. 27.9 Cities and Countries AS a Pot of meate seething on the fire which no body skimmeth must needs be full of loathsome filth So Cities and Countries continuing in bloudie violence without repentance and amendment must needs be â—oathsome and abhominable in the eyes of God Ezech. 24.6 Men must be fitted to their Callings and the Callings to the men LIke as a member of a mans body out of ioynt is daungerous and hindereth his health and welfare So in like maner the setting of Children to Callings vnfitting their gifts and affections is daungerous and hurtfull both to the Church and Common-wealth Distinction of Callings LIke as the members in a mans body although they liue by one life and one soule are notwithstanding distinct and diuerse one from an other in functions as the foote seeth not but the eye the eare heareth and not the hand c. Euen so also the members of Christ howsoeuer they liue all by one and the same faith are notwithstanding in their particular functions and Callings one to be distinguished from an other Gods Creatures admirable AS when men behold any curious worke of a cunning and skilfull Craftsman straightway they will leaue the worke and enquire after him that made it that they may praise his skill Euen so it is the dutie of Christians in this case when they come abroad and behold euerie where in all the Creatures the admirable and vnspeakeable wisedome goodnesse and power of God then they must make haste from the Creature and go forward to the Creator to praise and glorifie him Reue. 4.11 Christ our Lord. 1 AS in former times the custome hath beeâ—â— that when one is taken prisoner in the fieldes hee that payes his raunsome shall become alwayes after his Lord Euen so likewise Christ when we were bondslaues vnder hell death and condemnation paid the ransome of our redemption and freed vs from the bondage of sinne and Sathan and therefore in that respect he is our Lord. Christ tooke vpon him our infirmities LIke as if a man be sicke of some grieuous disease and if a friend come vnto him that hath beene troubled with the same disease hee will shewe more compassion then twentie others Euen so Christ hauing felt in his owne soule and body the anguish and the manifolde perplexities that wee feele in our temptations and afflictions hath his bowels as it were a running towards vs euermore beeing prest and readie to relieue vs in all our miseries Heb. 2.17 4.15 Esay 53.3.4 Christes humane nature AS the Plant called Mistell hauing no roote of his owne both growes and liues in the stocke or body of the Oake or some other Tree So our Sauiour Christes humane nature hauing no proper substance is as it were ingrafted into the person of himselfe and â—s wholely supported and sustained by it so as it should not bee at all if it were not sustained in that manner Contempt of the Minister AS Husbandmen that misvse their Land-lord and his seruants which hee sendeth to them for the rents and profites of his lande are woorthily and iustly thrust out and others planted in their roomes So likewise were the Iewes cut off from being the people and Church of God for misvsing of Christ his Apostles and Prophets and so assuredly shall all they be that despise and set naught by and cruelly misvse and intreat the Ministers of the Gospel and the Preachers of his word which are sent vnto them A fruitlesse Confession AS it is bootelesse for a man that is very
of Grace by Faith 3 As Forgiuenesse of sinnes is not obtained without true repentance and amendment of life So after it is once obtained it is not continued without the constant obseruing of the same For to what end is the disease cured which is of purpose procured againe when it is once healed Mat. 3.2 4.17 Ioh. 8.11 5.14 Faith hath need of continuall increase and yet is neuer perfect in this life 1 LIke as in euery mans body it is necessary there be encreases of the body according to the measure and quantitie of euery one vntill it come to the perfect measure Euen so it fareth with the case of Faith for the bringing of it vnto a iust measure sauing that the encrease thereof cannot be made vp in any certaine number of yeares as the body may but needeth to haue continuall increase as long as we haue our being here vpon earth by continuall preaching and Catechising by the right vse of the Sacraments by true and earnest prayer and by discipline Rom. 10.17 1. Cor. 3.2 6. Act. 2.38 Math. 7.7 1. Cor. 5.3 4 5. 2 Euen as a Candle or Lampe vnlesse they bee nourished with supply of new Tallow or Oyle are soone extinguished So also the word of our Faith vtterly decayeth vnlesse it bee preferred by newe Doctrines and meditations of Scripture Flatterer 1 EVen as the beast Hyena doth imitate a mans voice and so learneth ones name whom he calleth foorth and destroyeth So a Flatterer will so sooth you with yea and nay that at the length he will bring you to the pit of destruction 2 As a Camelion can turne himselfe into al colours saue white So will a Flatterer chaunge himselfe into all shapes and hewes saue honestie 3 As there is nothing more daungerous then poysoned honie So nothing ought more to be bewared then a Flattering friend 4 As lice doo forsake the dead bodies where the bloud is decayed and wherevpon they vsed before to feede So Flateres are present so long as prosperitie raigneth but in aduersitie they are fled and gone 5 As they which doo bring vp any wild beast will first behold wherewith his nature is pleased or offended vntill at the length by continuance the same is made tractable and tame So a Flatterer doth accommodate himselfe to the will mind and affections of his friends vntill at the length he may gather the knowledge of his inclination 6 As the shadow when the Sunne shineth doth follow thee whersoeuer thou goest So a Flatterer in thy prosperous state is euer with thee present 7 As Orators sometimes do speake in the persons of other So a Flatterer wil report that he heard things of thee although it were nothing so 8 As a Scorpion is a venemous creature which hath a pleasant face but woundeth deadly with her taile she stingeth not with her face but with her hinder part Euen so such a one is euerie smoothe tongued and flattering bodie which speaketh faire to his neighbours face and killeth him in his heart Prou. 26.22 28. 18.8 Rom. 16.18 9 As a Bee doth carry a floure in her mouth but behinde dooth pricke verie sharpely with her sting So likewise verie many in these dayes doo vse most sweete and pleasant speeches and will euen stroke as it were thy humour and disposition with soft and sugred communication to the ende that by reason of some malice couched in their hearts they may worke thy woe and vtter ouerthrowe Psal 118.12 Psal 78.36 37. Prouer. 28.23 Eecle 7.7 10 Like as the ende of an Orator is with eloquence to perswade and the end of the Physition with medicine to cure and to heale Euen so the end of the Flatterer is with his humble communication and sweete alluring talke to deceiue so that flattery is a sweete musicke to a mans eares but indeed there is none more pernicious and pestilent then that is 11 As a Looking-glasse dooth imitate whatsoeuer is set before it and dooth represent the likenesses of them that looke in it but by a contrary way for it sheweth the left side to be the right and if thou looke into the East it doth represent thee looking towards the West Euen so a Flatterer in voice and in gesture will imitate thee If thou laugh and be merrie he also will be pleasant and merrie If thou weepe he will weepe for companie If thou wilt backbite and slaunder a man he will take thy part and will with raylings obloquies and slaunders euen grieuously wound the same man And if thou wilt praise thy selfe hee will helpe thee Or if thou louest to heare thy selfe praised of others hee will carrie thee as it were vpon the wings of praises and commendations vp into the clouds and loftie skies Through his subtil slights and craftie deuises he turneth and bendeth himselfe euery way When hee will worke vpon men that be sad and heauie he is presently translated into their humor With men that are remisse and without courage hee dealeth merrily He handleth old men grauely and young men courteously with wicked men he is bold and impudent and with libidiuous and leacherous people he is filthie and shamelesse The Flatterer hath alwayes at his fingers ends and ready vnder his girdle the gestures voices inclinations and dispositions of all persons high and lowe he leaues out none that hee may deceiue all Hee will praise thee in thy presence and scorne thee in thy absence for the Flatterer is double tongued he now extolleth thee and doth set thee aloft with great prayses and by and by he will cast thee downe with iniuries and wrongs 12 As stickes and wood doo nourish and maintaine the fire but the fire doth waste and consume them So a man that is Flattered by smooth dissemblers and hypocrits doth maintaine his Flatterers for the most part but in the end they wil deuour and vtterly vndoo him Ficklenesse of the state of great persons AS the Pine is a great tree yet the fruite falleth quickly away So the goodnesse of many great persons quickly decayeth Friend and frindship to be tried and then trusted 1 AS Zeusis painted slowly and with leasure that which should long last and continue So must that Friend be a long time tried which shall for euer continue faithfull Eccle. 6.6 7. c. 2 As euill and vnwholesome meate can neither be detained in the stomacke without daunger of diseases neither expulsed without great griefe and paine So if you will keepe an euill Friend he will hurt you but if you will reiect him he will exclaime and breede you great tumult and trouble 3 As he which hath none other money then one counterfeit coyne is altogether monylesse So he which hath none other Friend then he which is vnproued or tryed may be well named friendlesse 4 Hee which goeth about to obtaine the frindship of many is like the vnchast woman who ioying herselfe with many hath no one assured louer 5 As Telephus the Sonne of Hercules
7.37 3 Like as water dooth put out fire and quench thirst So the holy Ghost doth quench the fire of the euill concupisences of the flesh and doth also quench the thirst of the poore troubled soules satisfying them for euermore Yea hee doth asswage ease and comfort the griefes and mourning of the godly which commonly are in this world most afflicted and whose sorrowes do passe all humane consolation whereof he hath the proper name Paraclet or the Comforter Ioh. 4.13 14. 16.7 4 Like as in this life it commeth to passe in the Elect and chosen as wee see it by experience in bladders the which if they bee emptie and throwne into the water foorthwith they sinke But if they bee blowne and filled with wind they fleete and swimme aboue like a bubble and sinke not vnder the water Euen so mens minds being as yet voide and destitute of the spirite of God are drowned in their inordinate desires sensualitie pleasures and other sundrie passions and worldly affections But when they are replenished and filled with the holye Ghost they triumph ouer sinne and are of it neuer ouercome So that by his meanes wee haue abilitie to will those things that are right and to do those things that are good 5 As it is the nature of fire to warme the body that is benummed and frozen with colde So when a man is benummed and frozen in sinne yea when hee is euen starke dead in sinne it is the propertie of the holy Ghost to warme and quicken his heart and to reuiue him Mat. 3.11 Ioh. 3.5 6 As it is the propertie of Water to clense and purifie the filth of the bodie Euen so the holy Ghost dooth spiritually wash away our sinnes which are the filth of our nature 7 As Oyle doth strengthen the members and make them more nimble and doth also restore and heale them being broken So much more doth the holy Ghost make vs chearefull and quicke readily and constantly to performe the duties of our calling 7 As fire altereth things sometimes by burning out sometimes by inflaming So the holy Ghost altereth man by regenerating burneth out by mortifying the old man inflameth by quicking and raysing vp the new man Great men full of cares AS the toppes of trees placed on great mountaines are mooued with the least blast of wind that bloweth Euen so those men which are set in high places of honour and dignitie are troubled with the report of euery messenger though neuer so base whereas men of low degree and calling for the most part liue quietly at ease without any molestation Grace wrought by degrees AS a man looking stedfastly on a Diall cannot perceiue the shadow mooue at all yet viewing it a while hee shall perceiue that it hath mooued So in hearing of the word but especially in the receiuing of the Lords supper a man shall iudge euen his own faith and other graces of God to be little or nothing increased neither can he perceiue the motion of Gods spirit in him at that present yet by the fruites and effects thereof hee shall after perceiue that Gods spirite hath by little and little wrought greater faith and other graces in him A Godly life AS it cannot by any meanes come to passe that hee which enioyeth the beames of the Sunne should be in darknesse Euen so it is impossible that he which hath his conuersation with God should not be immortall Holy Ghost worketh where and in whom he will 1 LIke as the wind bloweth in what quarter of heauen it listeth and where it beginneth blowing where it endeth no man can tell neither can any man deuise meanes to stop the course of it Euen so with like libertie and with the like open apparance worketh the holy spirit of God where and in whom hee will and no power nor abilitie of man is able to resist and withstand it Iohn 3.8 2 As of drie Wheate one lumpe cannot bee made without moysture nor one loafe So neither could wee that are many become one in Christ Iesus without water which is from heauen that is without the holy Ghost Good will not to be mocked AS a man hauing a seruant that is an idle fellow who forefloweth his businesse mindeth other matters and goeth to his worke lastly and like a Beare to the stake would not bee pleased with his seruice but rather would shift his hands of him and send him packing Euen so the Lord our God cannot abide that wee should worshippe him with our bodies when our soules are farre from him that we should honour him with our tongues when our hearts wander from him Or that we should serue him in part some peece of the Sabboth and to serue sinne and Sathan the rest for he will not be mocked hee is euer iealous of his owne glorie Gal. 6.7 God a spirit which cannot be represented by any bodily shape LIke as a bodyly Image which representeth vnto vs the face of man ought liuely to set before vs all his lineaments and proportions that by the counterfaiting or engrauing we might conceiue whatsoeuer might bee seene in him which the same representeth Euen so the image of God must through the same likenesse set before our senses a certain vnderstanding of the knowledge of God For this we are sure of that nothing may beare the image of God but that which is a spirit because in very deed God is a spirite and therefore this image of God in man can haue no abiding place but in the soule Gene. 1.26 27. 2.7 5.1 Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 All Good things come from heauen AS the raine and dew falling from aboue watering the ground makes it fruitfull So likewise the grace of the holy Ghost comming from God the father stirre vp our minds to all goodnesse 1. Cor. 4.7 Iam. 1.17 Gentlenesse rather to be vsed then rigorousnesse AS some disease which by no force can bee expelled oftentimes is with the iuyce of hearbes asswaged So some men you shall sooner ouercome and winne by clemencie and Gentlenesse then by rigorousnesse and extremitie The Gospell to bee mingled with the law in preaching 1 AS the strong purgine blacke Hedebore giuen vncorrected with other things to allay the power of it hurteth more thē profiteth So the terrible iudgement of the word when it is preached without some comforts intermingled will doo more harme then good 2 As bitter Wormewood and sweete Honie mingled together are very profitable to take away the dimnesse of the bodily sight and to make a man see worldly things clearely So the bitter threatnings of the law and sweete promises of the Gospel laide together are most fit to take away the dimnesse of spiritual eyes and to make them see clearely heauenly things So outward aduersitie prosperitie mingled together 3 As Pepper-woort once sowen continueth and can hardly be destroyed So the word once receiued continueth and can hardly be banished Gospell 1 AS the law because it is the
but seemeth very bitter to some sicke and distempered bodies So dooth the Law seeme burdensome but this commeth not by nature but through our weaknesse 22 As the debter not beeing able to paie his debt was freely forgiuen Euen so the Law in the act of iustification is vtterly idle as that which is neither the cause nor a part of our righteousnesse as it is wrought of vs. Math. 18.23 24. c. 23 Like as if I owe a man a hundreth pound and bee bound to pay him at a certaine day if I doo then pay it albeit mine hart be neuer so grudging and vnwilling thereto yet haue I fulfilled the Law and discharged my bond so that there shall no processe or iudgement passe against me But Gods Law requireth a thing to bee done with a chearefull and a well willing heart and minde and euen of pure loue for if I doo it either for feare or vnwillingly that shal be imputed vnto me for sinne If I do it for feare 〈◊〉 doo I it not of loue but rather hate both the thing 〈◊〉 I doo and also the Law that constraineth me to doo it and if I doo it vnwillingly then would I doo the contrarie and so would that there were no such Law neither yet any God that should iudge me in so doing and seeing that God iudgeth me after mine heart and will then must he needes condemne me for I would doo contrarie vnto his Lawe and will yea and doo wish in mine heart contrarie to that which I doo in mine outward deed 24 Like as if I see a poore man which is not of abilitie to doo me any pleasure and neuerthelesse doth all his diligence to seeke my fauour and would with heart and mind giue me some acceptable present if he were of power being also sorrie that hee cannot performe his will and mind towards me Now if there bee any sparke of humanitie or gentlenesse in me I wil count his good will as wel as though he had in very deed performed his will for his ability extendeth no further if his power were better better should I haue Euen so seeing we are not of power and abilitie to performe the Law of God and yet beare a good heart towards God and his Law bewayling our imbicilitie that we can do him no further pleasure then will God recount vs not as his enemies but as his deare children and beloued friends 25 As after sleepe the body beeing awaked it is fresh lustie strong and couragious to doo his worke So likewise after the fearefull threatnings of the Law when wee heare the glad tidings of the Gospell that God will be our Lord and dwell with vs the mind is comforted strengthned and mooued vp to doo his dutie 26 As a man is iudged and known to be waking when hee can doo the office of a man as talke worke write or such like Euen so is man awaked out of the sleepe of sins when he liues in charitie feares God and walks according to his Law in his vocation 27 As we see in iudgements here amongst vs there is a royall seate set where the Iudge sits hee that is accused stands at the Barre holds vp his hand heares his Inditement read witnesse is brought against him and hee iustlâ— condemned to death So likewise we shal see Iesus Chrisâ— the righteous Iudge of the world that will not be bribeâ— sit in his seate of maiestie at the last day and all the companie of Angels about him and we shall stand at the harre as accused and indighted for breaking that righteous Law of his word the diuel which intised vs so to do shall beare witnesse that to be true yea and our owne conscience also with the feare of that fearefull sentence Goe yee cursed into euerlasting fire c. shall make vs to tremble Math. 25.31 32 41. 28 Like as hee which cannot esteeme and discerne his sicknesse or the grieuousnesse of his disease the same must of necessitie haue a negligent care of seeking foorth a remedie and a wholesome medicine for the same Euen so hee which learneth not to acknowledge his sinnes by the Law the same doubtlesse knoweth not how to embrace grace by the Gospell Learning or vertue of transgression but improperly 1 AS the Date tree is most hard to be climed hauing yet fruit most pleasaunt So likewise the entrie or way vnto Learning and vertue is most vneasily when as yet they haue fruit all pleasaunt and profitable Prou. 3.13 14 15. 2 Like as nature hath hid verie deepe in the ground stones precious and of much value but others of no vertue are euerie where to bee found So things of estimation and price as vertue and Learning are knowne but vnâ—â— fewe nor they will not bee obtained without great labour and studie 3 As hee which hungereth or thirsteth can doo nothing vnlesse they quench his appetite and desire So all things ought we to lay aside vntill we doo obtaine Learâ—ing and wisedome 4 As the best Wine soone looseth his taste or colour if it bee powred into a vessell filthie and impure So is good Learning more then lost if it happen to a naughtie man for he will vse it most peruersly to serue his gaine and appetite To Liue well is to die well LIke as Balaam wished and had a great desire to die the death of the righteous but he would not immitate them in godly conuersation Euen so all men wish for a happie end of life but fewe care to Liue vertuously and honestly which doubtlesse is the readie way to die well Numb 23.10 Act. 8.19 20. 19.13 The Law our Schoolemaister to bring vs to Christ. 1 LIke as the Schoolemaister reproueth his Schollers wherby he grieueth them and maketh them heauie and yet not to the end that this bondage should alwayes continue but that it should cease when the children are well brought vp and instructed accordingly and that afterwards without any constraint of the Schoolemaister they should chearefully enioy their libertie and their Fathers goods Euen so they which are vexed and oppressed with the Law doo know that these terrours and vexations shall not alwayes continue but that therby they are prepared to come vnto Christ which is to bee reuealed and to receiue the libertie of the spirit c. Gal. 3.24 2 As the duties of a Schoolemaister bee especially three First to teach his Schollers Secondly to frame their manners And thirdly to punish offenders Euen so the Lawe of God first teacheth vs concerning God that there is a God and what manner of one hee is and what manner a one mans nature is by creation and what was that Image of God or originall righteousnesse in man namely agreeablenesse to the Law of God It teacheth also of sinne and the penaltie of sinne of the last iudgement of the resurrection of the dead and life euerlasting of outward discipline or honest gouernment of manners with many such other things Secondly it frameth our
and brimstone vppon the third it would make them afraid Preachers must be faultlesse AS when the Priestes did offer they did especially prouide that their sacrifice should haue no spot on it least it should not be acceptable to God So the Preachers of the word must haue a speciall care that there bee no blots in their liues or Sermons Prophets AS wee looking on those things which are before our eyes doo see them no otherwise then they are So the Prophets did foresee things to come as though they were present and as they were in deed Philosophie AS the earth heauen and ayre and such like are not therefore to be contemned because some haue abused them and worshipped them as Gods So Philosophie is not to be despised though it haue errors in it but what profit soeuer can be gathered out of it the same is to bee applied to the vse of our life Vaine Pleasures 1 AS pilgrimes and straungers doo not vse to delight themselues with the Pleasures of the Country whither they trauell as straungers but so vse them that they set not their hearts on them but are readie and willing to leaue them if it were to morrow So also must we being pilgrimes heare on earth neuer set our hearts or affections on the vain Pleasures of this life but vse this world as though we vsed it not 1. Pet. 2.10 2 Euen as there is a kind of tickling in the flesh which causeth laughter that is both vncomely and vnseemely and like vnto a convultion and shrinking of the sinowes So likewise all those Pleasures of the body which are prouoked onely by fantasie and conceit of mind are sottish feeble troublesome and farre differing from nature 3 Euen as the affection which a wicked person beareth to a strumpet dooth exceedingly diminish the loue which he should beare vnto his lawfull wife So likewise the loue wee beare to these vaine and transitorie things and especially vnto Pleasures which is like vnto an olde and common whore who draweth vs exceedingly from our duties and diminisheth that zeale and affections wee should beare towards our spouse Christ Iesus to those things which he commaundeth vs. 4 As Bees doo first giue Honie and forthwith pricke with their sting So bodily Pleasures of which the Epicures make three sorts namely to feed delicately to drink pleasantly and to liue lecherously the rest seruing herevnto whether they delight the eyes or prouoke the bodie by what meanes soeuer vnto pleasure they call appurtenances beareth a shewe of goodnesse while it tickleth the minde by her enticements but in the end it bringeth most bitter sorrow Prou. 5.3.4 5 As drunkards do by drinking not quench the thirst and satisfie their appetite but encrease the burning thirst of their bodies and the insatiable intemperance of their mindes So all other worldly Pleasures the longer they are enioyed the more greedily they are desired and more obstinately preferred before God and spirituall graces Iere. 13.23 6 As the bough of a tree being by the growth of many yeares become stiffe and strong is now farre more easily broken then bowed So for the most part men of age experience and worldly wisedome doo sooner loose their liues then leaue their vaine Pleasures and carnall desires which they haue carefully nourished and strengthned all their life time 7 As affliction and miserie doo strike at the faith of a Christian So the enioying of worldly Pleasures in the time of prosperitie doth diminish the other parts of sanctification by the immoderate and vnlawfull seeking and vsing of earthly pleasures Keeping of Promise LIke as the Mulberrie-tree is said to be the wisest of all trees because it buddeth last of all and not til the cold be past and bringeth forth fruite first which is ripe before the cold commeth againe So we must be slow in promising and quicke in performing Pride maketh God to take his graces from vs and to bestow them vpon others 1 AS the slaue that hath stolen from his Lord and Maister and wil acknowledge no dutie no rent nor any seruice wherein he is bound vnto him doth deserue to loose all such lands as he holdeth of his Maisters So in like maner if God who requireth nothing of vs but a confession and acknowledgement of the good he hath done for vs seeing vs to refuse this dealeth iustly with vs if he shut vp his liberality from vs and bestoweth the same vpon others 2 Like as if a great Lorde should receiue some poore man into his house giuing him nothing but wherewithall he might maintain himselfe in mean estate and should perceiue that within two or three yeares after he purchased lands put money to vsury kept a great port and to be at other excessiue charges his maister might haue good occasion to thinke he were a thiefe seeing that he had nothing when his Lord tooke him into his seruice So likewise we considering how poore we are by nature that we came into the house of our God all naked laden as it were and couered with filth and beggery if being there we wil vaunt our selues in so doing we should rob God of his glorie and giue him iust cause to take them from vs and to giue them to others Pride corrupteth all our workes 1 AS a little Worme-wood will quickly marre a whole vessel of wine So in like manner when as our life is most perfect godly yea most diuine and angelicall the least Pride that may be wil wholly corrupt it and make it worse and more imperfect then euer it was good 2 As it were a lamentable thing to see a Marchant after a long and prosperous Nauigation suffer Shipwracke in the hauen and losse of al in that place where he hoped to repose himselfe and enioy the fruit of his labours So in like manner it is when a man like vnto the Pharisie hath liued well in this world carefully obseruing the commaundements of God and wisely and politickly carried himselfe among men in the end through a presumption and Pride in himselfe or contempt of his neighbour he vtterly casteth himselfe away 3 Like as when we are on the top of an hill or of some high place we take good heed to our feete and we walke warily for feare of stumbling So in like maner must they behaue themselues whome God hath exalted aboue others either in authoritie knowledge vertue or wealth or any other grace whatsoeuer it hath pleased him to bestow vpon them in particular maner considering that the meanes to bee preserued and continued in that estate wherein they are is to trust in him and continually to cleaue vnto him to the end that they always may liue in his feare and in humble manner retaine and keepe their minds in his obedience in remembrance and consideration of his goodnesse and not to be Proud and arrogant 4 As the Peacocke beholding his gay and goodly feathers waxeth forthwith very proud thereof but as soone as he casteth
life with their bodies taken their owne pleasures ioy and delight Euen so in the life to come at the Resurrectiō of the dead they shal be plagued and punished with euerlasting paine torment in the same bodies Mat. 25.41 c. 2. Cor. 5.10 Act. 24.15 Ioh. 5.29 21 Like as when the Corne is cast into the ground it seemeth to bee lost for it rots and wasteth in the ground but afterwards it springeth faire 1. Cor. 15.36 37. So when the body hath beene corrupted it tarrieth the time appointed by God to come out of the earth and to be altogether perfect 22 As the Corne by meanes of the seed taketh againe a new shape and that more fayrer So the faithfull which dieth and goeth to rest with the seede of Iesus Christ which is the spirit of God is raysed againe by the same spirit which rayseth the Sonne of God from death 23 Like as Christ rose againe in the selfe-same body in which he suffered So we also shall rise againe in the selfe-same flesh which we carrie about with vs. 24 Euen as Christ after his Resurrection had an other glorie much greater then he had before So we shall bee farre otherwise after our Resurrection and so renued into a more glorious state 25 As the Sun and the Moone being of one substance differ in dignitie and excellencie So likewise in the Resurrection our bodies shall haue more excellent qualities then they haue now Regeneration 1 As there is need of no Lawe to compell the bodie to eate or drinke to digest to sleepe to goe to stand to fit and to doo their workes of nature for it is readie to doo them of it owne nature when the case so requireth and when it is meete without all respect either of reward or punishment and may not vnfitly be said as concerning these things not to be vnder a Law notwithstanding thereupon nothing lesse followeth then that it doth therefore abstaine from such workes vnto which in deed it so much more applieth it selfe as they are lesse commaunded and are more naturall vnto it Euen so after the same sort altogether dooth the godly man behaue himselfe concerning the workes of godlinesse he is carried to the doing of them by that his newe nature of the spirit albeit there were no Law at all and all both hope of reward and feare of punishment were away 1. Timo. 1.9 Reue. 6.14 2 Like as if a man haue all his mind set vpon drinking and gulling in of Wine and strong drinke hauing little delight nor pleasure in any thing else it argues a carnall mind and vnregenerate because it effectes the things of the flesh and so of the rest Euen so on the contrarie hee that hath his mind affected with a desire to doo the wil of God in practising the workes of charitie and Religion he I say hath a spirituall and a renewed heart and is Regenerate by the holy Ghost Rom. 8.14 Gal. 5.17 3 As God in the beginning created vs after his owne Image So also must hee Regenerate vs according to the same which he doth by the holy Ghost the third person in Trinitie one and the same euerlasting God together with the Father and the Sonne Iohn 3.5 Math. 16.17 Ioh. 8.36 15.5 4 As a liuing body although naturally it bee the subiect of sense yet some one part of it may bee benummed and senselesse So the soule of one Regenerate hath in it at least the beginnings and seeds of all graces howsoeuer some of them at sometimes doo not worke or appeare Whereas a carnall man is altogether destitute yea vncapable of them 5 Euen as we know that the trees haue heate and life in their rootes in the middest of the coldest and sharpest winter yea as many beastes lie all the winter long in holes of the earth without eating drinking stirring or hauing any iotte of heate sense or life in any of their outward parts and yet there is a remnant of life and of heate lurking in the heart which being in Summer stirred vp doth reuiue the beast so that it is able to goe or runne vp and downe and to performe all naturall actions in the manner as it did before So likewise a totall decrease or an vtter decay of holinesse as whereby nothing is left cannot happen to any one who is truely Regenerate who in the greatest extremitie and depth of his fal retaineth some reliques of Gods spirit and of grace receiued yea some life of faith whereby he liueth to God in Christ howsoeuer he be to the eyes of all men and euen in his owne conscience a dead rotten stocke 6 Euen as a man being sodenly taken with the plague or any infectious sicknesse sayeth he knoweth not how it happeneth onely hee seeth the effects of it Euen so the action of Regeneration in it selfe is secret and vnknown but manifest in the effects which follow of it Regeneration not without sinne LIke as the Israelites suffered the Iebusites to dwell amongst them to their great harme Euen so sinne remaineth in our mortall bodies conquered in deed that it dooth not raigne ouer those that serue the Lord yet not cleane taken away but left for our exercises who hauing our mortall enemie dwelling in vs should fight against sinne vnder the banner of faith in Christ Iesus who onely hath can and will continually defend his people subdue their enemies and giue his children the victorie Repentance AS a prisoner will striue to get out of prison by all kind of means he can thogh he grate off some of his flesh Euen so a man that is out of the fauour of God must trie by all kind of wayes that he can that if hee cannot come to Gods fauour by one way he may yet by an other Psal 51.1 c. The Redemption of Christ vniuersall 1 AS the Sunne is the generall giuer of light to the whole world though there bee many which doo receiue no light at all of it Or as there was among the Iewes vppon the yeare of Iubylee a generall deliuerie of all bond men although many abode still in their bondage and refused the grace of their deliuerie Euen so the Redemption of mankind by Christ is auaileable for all although reprobate and wicked men for want of the grace of God doo not receiue the same yet there is no reason that it should leese his title and glorie of vniuersall Redemption because of the children of perdition seeing that it is ready for all men and all be called vnto it 1. Tim. 2.6 Col. 1.13 14. 1. Pet. 1.18 Tit. 2.14 2 As they who beeing taken in warre are wont either to be slaine or to bee condemned vnto perpetuall bondage except they bee redeemed and ransommed Euen so such were wee all being taken prisoners of the diuell who had vs body and soule in his owne power from whose kingdome and tyrannie Christ hath most mercifully Redeemed vs. Rom. 14.8 1. Cor. 3.22 Phil. 1.21 1. Pet. 1.18
also conserue and nourish vs in the same by the right vse of his holy Sacraments and wil make vs to grow and wax strong and accomplish the worke which he hath begunne in vs and al this by his Sonne Iesus Christ 25 As it is not enough that a shepheard doo onely gather his sheepe into the fold or sheepecoate but also that hee prouide meate for them and pasture Or as it is not sufficient that a Maister doo onely entertaine his seruant into his seruice by giuing him his Liuerie coate badge whereby hee is openly knowne to be his man but also that hee prouide and giue him meate and drinke dayly to feede him So surely dooth the Lord with vs in these Sacraments For by baptisme doth hee admit vs to his seruice and by the Supper doth hee feede vs that we perish not with hunger 26 Like as mans body is nourished and sustained by bread and Wine So also our soules are sustained spiritually with the body of Christ giuen for vs and with his bloud shed for our sakes Iohn 6.32 33 35. 1. Cor. 11.24 25. 27 As bread nourisheth our bodies So thereby we learne that Christes body hath most singular force spiritually by faith to feede our soules Ioh. 6.50 55 56. 28 And as with Wine mens hearts are cheared and their strengths confirmed So we learne also that with his bloud our soules are refreshed thorow faith 29 And further as surely as we know that we haue receiued the bread wine with our mouths and stomacks So surely thereby we are assured that Christ maketh the faithfull beleeuers partakers of his body and bloud Ioh. 6.54 63 64. 30 As those which haue eaten sweete Comficts and seede for the most part on delicate Cates haue sweete breathes Euen so must there needes bee found a sweete smelling Odour in all the words and workes of those which are fed with this spirituall and heauenly foode the bodie and blood of Christ and in whom Christ dooth dwell for they do all things for the profit and edification of their brethren and the glory of God 31 Euen as the Gospell which of it owne nature is the word of life and saluation is yet turned by the wicked vnto the sauour of death So the Sacraments also which are instituted by God vnto the saluatioÌ„ of men are notwithstanding receiued by the faithlesse and the vnwoorthie communicants vnto their condemnation and iudgement and yet do they not desist in respect of God to be true Sacraments still 32 As a sicke man feeles no comfort or nourishment when he eateth meate and yet it preserueth his life So the weake Christian though he feele himselfe not nourished at the Sacrament by Christs bodie and blood yet he shall see in time that his house shall be preserued thereby vnto euerlasting life 32 Like as Souldiers when they receiue their pay do binde themselues to their Captaine by solemne oath Euen so we when we are partakers of the holy Sacraments which God hath appointed in his Church by the which he bestoweth vpon vs spirituall gifts do bind our selues to him by the same oath 34 As we see with our eyes that the bread is broken for vs So we are certainly confirmed in our faith that the bodie of Christ was giuen vnto death for vs. 35 As certainly as we see that the bread and wine to be present So certainly do we beleeue that the bodie and blood of Christ is present with vs also yea we do not beleeue that it is the Supper of the Lord except his bodie and blood be present with vs. 36 As things set before the eyes do mooue the sight Euen so the Sacraments moue the heart to beleeue 37 Euen as sure as we take the bread in the Lords Supper and eate it with the mouth of the bodie and drinke the wine So verely certainly euen at the same instant with the mouth of our faith we receiue the verie bodie and blood of Christ and there it doth as actually comfort and sustain the soule as doth the bread and the wine nourish and comfort the heart and the outward man 38 And as verely as the most soueraigne plaister and salue laid to a wound or soare draweth out the filth and healeth it so verily and really doth the bodie and bloud of Christ thus receiued put away the soares and deformities of the soule and not only maketh it whole but also pure clean without scar wrinkle and spot and so maketh it a delectable louely faire spouse in the sight of God 39 As when many Windows be opened in an house the more light may come in then when there is but one opened Euen so by the perception and receiuing of the Sacraments a Christian mans conscience hath more helpe to receiue Christ then simply by the word preached heard or meditated and therefore the Sacraments may well be called seeable sensible taste-able and touchable words 40 As the Diuel entred into Iudas by the soppe which Christ gaue him yet not that he receiued an euil thing of him but because he did receiue it badly and with an euill mind Euen so the vnworthie communicants eate and drinke their owne damnation not by the eating of the bread and wine which are holy signes but because they receiue the same without faith and repentance hauing in euil conscience 41 As the word Sacramentum was a form of a solemne â—â—h in war wherby the soldier did vow destinat himself to serue his Generall and the Generall in like manner did binde himselfe to his souldiers So also by the vse and institution of the holy Sacraments after that God hath promised that he will be our God and giue vnto vs saluation he doth in like manner binde vs as it were with a solemne oath before himselfe before Angels and men that we will serue him and none other Soule 1 LIke as to be healthie in our bodies it is not inogh not to haue the plague or a plurasie but generally to be free from all diseases Euen so to be holy in our Soules we must be clean from all spots and defilings and we must take the whole lawe of God as an vniuersall rule of all our thoughts affections words and deeds to the end to keepe it from point to point and not to omit any thing which is there commaunded vs. 2 As sweete Oyle powred into a fustie vessell looseth his purenesse and is infected by the vessell So the Soule created good and put into the corrupt bodie receiues contagion thence Rom. 5.13 3 Like as if a man should borrow a thing of his neighbour and vse it so as he doth quite spoyle it he would be ashamed to bring it againe to the owner in that manner and if he doo the owner will not receiue it Euen so vngodly men in this life do so staine their Soules with sinne as that they can neuer be able to giue them vp into the hands of God at the day of death
and if they would yet God accepts them not but casts them away 4 Like as we know that in any common danger or perill as the sacking of a Citie or burning of an house if a man haue any pretious Iewell therein he will first fetch that out and make choyse of a faithfull friend to whose custodie he will commit the same Euen so in common perils and daungers we must alwayes remember to commit our Soules as a most precious Iewell into the hands of God who is a faithfull Creator Psal 31.5 Luk. 23.46 Act. 7.59 5 Euen as a little Bird shut vp in a Cage although it be very precious and costly and be made of Cedar Iuorie or Gold yet shee desireth to goe out and striueth to haue her libertie and in her eager and earnest desire to be gon shee doth oftentimes thrust her bill through the loupes of the Cage So likewise the Soule of a vertuous man inflamed with an vnfained loue of God beeing shut vp and holden in the coupe of his body although hee abound with all necessaries fit for the preseruation of this temporall life yet most earnestly desire to depart hence and to goe to his Counrie which is heauen 2. Cor. 5.2 Phil. 1.23 6 As the Soule hath a heauenly and the body an earthly beginning So the Soule is immortall and not suffering corruption the body is mortall and corruptible and yet be so ioyned together without confusion that in both remaineth his owne nature 7 As it were great folly to buy a house for the body laying out so much therupon that for want of goods and other maintenance the body so well housed must die for hunger Euen so a man shall get nothing by keeping his goods for to feede cloath the body which is the house of the Soule and in the meane time suffer the Soule to pine away and to die for hunger Math. 16.26 8 Like as it grieueth and maketh sorrowfull and expert Ieweller when he beholdeth and seeth those Iewels and precious stones which he with all his wit industrie and Art hath trimmed and polished to be tumbled and tossed in the foule and filthie fingers of children and fooles who neither knowing them nor esteeming them do soyle blemish and despise them Euen so our heauenly Father when he seeth our Soules the which hee hath created after his own similitude and likenesse to be in the middest and depth of the corrupted cogitations wicked and beastly thoughts and hellish imaginations of our hearts he taketh it heauily and in euill part Math. 9.4 15.18 Ezech. 11.5 9 As the Soule of Christ was receiued into Paradise the same day that it departed out of the body So also must we thinke of the blessed spirit Soules of the Saints according to the promise made to the theefe Luk. 23.42 Phil. 1. 2. 10 As a body without a Soule is cleane dead and nothing but a filthie loathsome carcasse Euen so the Soule vnlesse it stirre and rayse vp it selfe by prayer is dead and miserable 11 As they that haue healthfull bodies easily endure both cold and heate So they that haue a stayed and setled Soule haue the dominion ouer anger griefe ioy and all other their affections 12 As the body of man by nature is mortall lumpish and heauie delighting in those things which are visible temporall and alwayes of it selfe sinketh down-ward So the Soule being of a celestiall nature violently enforceth her selfe to flie vpward and with al her might striueth and wrastleth continually against the heauie burthen of the earthly body wherein she abideth despising those things which are mortall and onely desiring things permanent and immortall 13 Like as a man comforteth his earthly corruptible body with bread and meate when it is hungrie and with ale beere or wine when it is thirstie Euen so dooth the Soule of man when the lawsheweth to her her faults and eternall damnation and the dreadful iudgements of God for her offences comfort her selfe in her great hunger and thirst beleeuing that Almightie God hath forgiuen his sinnes for Christes sake 14 Euen as a man who by chance is fallen into a deepe drie pit far from succour cannot by any meanes possible help him selfe out vnlesse some man come with some ladder or other instrument to helpe him our desireth to bee deliuered out of the pit but by his owne wit he cannot tel how Euen so the Soule of man desireth to bee deliuered out of the sorrowful agony of death hell and damnation but she cannot tell how otherwise then by the righteousnesse of Christ Psal 42.1 2. Iohn 7.37 Slaunder 1 AS the hayres of the beast Tarandrus is not to be pearsed with any weapon So some men are such as are neuer hurt with Slaunder or reproach 2 Like as the Camelion can chaunge himselfe into all colours saue white Euen so the Slaunderer can frame his tongue to speake anything saue for his neighbors credit but that he can as hardly be induced vnto as the Leopard to chaunge his spots the Blacke-amore his skinne or the Bricke his colour 3 As the good name is to be much more esteemed then siluer So the wound of Slaunder defamation is almost incurable so that a mā may better beware of such as steale his goods then of the Slaunderer backbiter that taketh away his good name Numb 16. 1. c. 2. Sam. 16.3 Hest 3.8 1. Sam. 24.1 c. 2. Sam. 15. 1. c. Ioh. 7.20 Math. 11.19 4 As when a wound is cured there remaineth a scarce So against a Slaunder howsoeuer a man purge iustifie himselfe yet will there stil remaine an euill opinion at the least in some Psal 101.5 1. Cor. 4.6 6.10 5 Like as Cham the Father of the Canaanites hauing seene the shame of his Father Noah and in lieu of couering it hauing shewed it to his brethren was accursed both he and his posteritie by the mouth of his owne Father Euen so they who knowing the frailtie faults and infirmities and consequenly the shame and reproach of their brethren where they ought in charitie to couer the same doo neuerthelesse by backbiting and euil speaking lay them open doo well deserue to bee accursed with Cham and called Canaanites Gene. 9.22 Psal 50.19 20 21. Act. 24.5 1. Sam. 21.1 c. Psal 52.2 c. 6 Like as if when sundrie Faggots lie each by other thou shouldest kindle the one and so by degrees burne them all So likewise if he to whom thou hast opened thy mouth to Slaunder and backbite thy brother hath no more hold of his tongue then thou hast of thine so thou hast put into his hand a staffe wherwith by reuealing thy secret to bring thee into brabling and strife and therefore thou oughtest not to reueale that to an other which thou wouldest should be kept secret 7 As in a Country vppon any murther or other heinous trespasse they ring the Towne bell which when other Townes or Villages doo
land and our soules as prepared for the fire of hell by reason of sinnes in the common sort of horrible crueltie in many of them that are mightie and of the generall ignorance of Christ according to his Gospell in euerie sort Iere. 9.17 18 19. Ezech. 32.1 2 3. Hest 4.3 Iere. 9.12 Ezech. 32.4 6. Math. 7.19 13.42 49. Hos 7.3 4 5. Saluation is from God alone AS the vertue attractiue to draw Iron is not in the Iron but in the Adamant Euen so the vertue and power of Saluation lyeth not in the Minister but in the power of the word wrought by the spirit of God By our words deedes gestures and moouings Sathan knoweth the secrets of our hearts AS a man holding in his hand an Angling rod and with a baited hooke fishing in an obscure and troubled ryuer although he doth not see the fish rush vpō the baite yet hee perceiueth verie well that the fish is taken and hanged vpon the hooke because the Corke or barke of his fishing line is pulled downe and hid vnder the water So Sathan that most subtile and wily fisher although he seeth not our thoughts beeing in the secrets and bottomes of our hearts yet notwithstanding by outwarde signes he many times doth know them as by our words for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh by our actions and by the gestures of our bodies Math. 15.19 20. Prou. 6.18 Our dutie to read the Scriptures 1 AS Artificers with their tooles and instruments doo finish their worke So by reading of the holy Scriptures our selues are corrected formed and renued Col. 3.16 2. Pet. 1.19 Ephe. 6.17 Rom. 15.4 2. Timo. 5.16 Act. 17.11 Psal 119.105 Dan. 9.2 2 As Artificers cannot transforme earth or wood into siluer or gold onely they can by their Art and workmanship giue forme and shape vnto things But by the reading of Gods word thou maist of a woodden or earthen vessell make a vessell of gold or siluer as saith the holy Apostle Saint Paul 2. Timo. 2.20 21. 3 Like as there are some spices which without brusing do yeeld no smell but the more they be chafed the sweeter they are Euen so is it with the holy Scriptures such as read but little can find no taste but the more they be pervsed and read the more doo they yeeld foorth the treasures and pleasant fruits hidden in them Psal 25.14 Iohn 7.17 6.45 4 As increase of strength groweth to the body by meate Euen so the like groweth to the soule by the reading of the holy Scriptures 5 As a barre of yron by long lying in the fire waxeth hot red and of the nature of burning fire Euen so that soule that daily imployeth it selfe in reading and meditating the word of God groweth to bee spirituall diuine heauenly and kindled in the word of God Ioh. 5 3◠6 As some Birds vse to sit by the waterside that seeing the shaddow of rauening foules flying in the ayre they may escape them by leaping into the water So must Christians bee euen conuersant in the hearing and reading the word of God that so they may behold as in a Glasse the sleights of the Diuell may escape them and so maketh it their Glasse to see their own sinnes in all which would without vnfained repentaunce bring condemnation The Subiects dutie to their Magistrates 1 AS Saint Peter admonisheth seruants to be subiect to their Maisters albeit froward and peeuish So are Subiects bound to obey their Magistrates albeit an infidell a wicked man or an Idolater 1. Pet. 2.18 Rom. 13.1 Tit. 3.1 1. Pet. 2.13 14. 2 As Christian Religion dooth not subuert the order of Policie So the wickednesse and impietie of the Magistrate dooth not depriue him of his right to commaund neither dooth it exempt the Subiects from their dutie to obey 3 So long as there remaineth in Princes the Image and ordinance of God Euen so long continueth the bond of Subiects to yeeld obedience to Magistrats not as to men but as to God Exod. 9.16 Dan. 2.37 1. Sam. 21. 1. c. Iere. 26.7 29.7 35.9 Ezech. 29.18 1. Sam. 26.9 4 As God armeth the Magistrate with the sword for the preseruation of his Subiectes against the violence of their enemies and to enforce rebels to yeeld obedience to their lawfull decrees So when alone or with his Sargeants Officers he is not able to performe this dutie he may and ought to command his Subiects to helpe him to execute his office and they are bound at his commandement to take armes to employ themselues Iudg. 5.9 23. 5 As by naturall affection the handes and other the members of the body doo stand bound to employ themselues for the saftie of the body but especially of the head against all violence and iniurie So likewise ought all Subiects to thinke vpon the naturall bond and affection and in dutie vnder the conduct of their head to preserue the body of the Comminaltie but especially the person and authoritie of their Prince and Magistrate against the violence and endeuours of their enemies 1. Sam. 11.6 7. Iudg. 21.8 c. 6 As the Magistrate is by God authorized to leauie tolles taxes tributes and many other Subsidies of the people So are the Subiects bound to furnish and pay them Rom. 13.6 7. Math. 22.21 17.25 26 27. Saluation is desired of the godly AS all men of themselues be sinners throgh sin are in Gods wrath banished far away from him condemned to hell euerlasting damnation and none is clearely innocent but Christ alone So euerie soule inspired by God is desirous to bee deliuered from sinne and hell and to obtaine at Gods hands mercy fauour righteousnesse and euerlasting Saluation Free from Sinne by faith AS wee being in the seruitude of Sinne demonstrate and make knowne our seruice by giuing ouer our member by the obeying of Sinne from iniquitie Euen so wee being made free from Sinne by faith in Iesus Christ indued with Gods spirit a spirit of libertie must needes demonstrate this freedome and libertie by giuing ouer our members to the obedience of the spirit by the which we are lead and guided from vertue to vertue and al kind of holinesse No Sanctification except we be vnited to the Church EVen as the spirit of man dooth not strengthen the members of the body vnlesse they bee fast and surely ioyned together So the holy Ghost doth not reuiue and comfort the members of the Church when they fall away and will not continue in league and fellowship with the seruants of God longer then they are fast bound and knit to the congregation of Gods people in loue and peace in Christ the holy Ghost doth minister no strength no consolation no comfort vnto them there remaineth nothing else in such men but a numnesse and extreame blindnesse in heauenly things And whiles in their arrogancie and pride they forsake and condemne the church of God because they cannot drawe it
with them So likewise we ought to make more account of the Word of God which is the Law of spirituall libertie Iam. 2.16 91 As Mariners vse by the starres to direct their courses on the Sea So must wee make Gods Word a starre to direct vs to Christ 92 As wee account much of Rings Iewels or such like things which are left vs of parents and friends beeing dead So must we account make much of Gods Word left vs by Christ 93 As the Sunne shining vpon filthy sinckes dunghils and puddles draweth out loathsome smells yet it selfe is pure and not defiled with them Euen so the VVord of God which though it draw sinne and wickednesse from sinfull men yet it selfe is pure and holy Psal 12.6 19.8 94 As we may see many mens faces but not know their minds except wee conferre long with them So it is with the VVord of God if we onely barely and carelesly read it and doo not earnestly meditate in it and studiously search it 95 Euen as the naturall man conceiued of naturall seede is nourished with bloud in his Mother wombe and fed afterward with Milke when hee is once borne as all creatures are nourished with that whereof they are engendred So in like manner the regenerate man conceiued and begotten of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God is nourished fostered by it receiuing the same simply and purely without any mixture and hotch potch of any other mans inuentions with it Wicked 1 AS the third sort of Canterburie belles beeing planted in Gardens prosper ouermuch for it dooth spread abroad and multiply that it hurteth other hearbs and will not easily bee weeded out or ouercome Euen so the Wicked in the Church 2 As if one and the same wormewood the common wormewoood is hote in the first degree Sea wormwood hote in the second and yet both wormwood So among the Wicked some lesse hote in profession some more and yet both Wicked some lesse cruell some more cruell and yet both vngodly c. 3 As the wilde Boores and Swine which are wont to eate and destroy other Wheate and Corne will seldome feede vpon Triticum Romanorum or bearded wheate because of the prickie beards which doo them hurt So the VVicked which liue by deuouring and oppressing other the Children of God will seldome assault them which can hurt them 4 Polimanie held in the hand keepeth a man from beeing stung or hurt with any Scorpion but the more vertues a man hath the sooner the VVicked will vexe him therefore are worse then Scorpions 5 As the great Raifort or mountaine Radish being planted neare the Vine causeth it to starue and wither away So the VVicked beeing too neare the godly make them to decay and fall away 6 As the Salamander that is euer in the fire and neuer consumeth So be the souls of the reprobate and vngodly men euer dying in hell and yet neuer dead 7 As water lighting vppon a hard stone falleth away because there is no entrie open into the stone So the VVicked doo with their hardnesse of heart driue backe the grace of God that it cannot pearce into them 8 As the flint stone are made of such matter that neither water can moysten them nor fire can melt them Euen so the VVicked and obstinate are so stonie hearted that neither the heauenly deaw of the sweete promises of the Gospell or the feare or furious threatnings of the law can mollifie their hearts Ezech. 3.9 9 As long as a sicke man can walke and stand there is some hope that he will recouer and amend but if he must needes lie downe then there is little hope of his health Euen so a man that walketh in the counsell of the VVicked or standeth in the way of sinners there may be some hope of him but if hee once sit downe in the Chaire or seate of the scornfull then there is no hope at all of his repentance Psal 1.1 10 As the disease of a Canker infecteth alwayes the next part vnto it vntill it haue runne through and infected the whole body Euen so the VVicked neuer cease vntil they haue drawne them all such as keepe them companie 1. King 11.3 4 5. Deut. 7.3 4. Iudg. 16.16 17 18. 11 As fire is of this nature qualitie that it will burne vp whole houses and faire places euen with a sparke if it be letten alone which otherwise might bee put out with ones finger Euen so the VVicked yea but one Wicked member in a Towne if he bee suffered will at length doo much hurt to the whole Towne c. 12 As that Mother cannot but be greatly afflicted who hauing many children weeping and crying at once for meate and she not hauing sufficient or none at all to giue them Euen so the VVicked man beeing greedily called vppon without ceasing but almost infinite passions to yeeld to their desires must needes be vexed and pitifully tormented especially being notable to satisfie any one of the least of their petitions 13 Like as the stone of Sycila the which the more it is beaten the harder it waxeth Euen so the VVicked the more that the terrours and threatnings of Gods iudgements are denounced against them the more hard harted they bee 14 As the Graue alwayes craueth for more and is neuer satisfied Euen so such is the vnsatiablenesse of the throates of the Wicked Rom. 3.13 15 As the Milner doth muffle and blindfold his horse that draweth his malt Mill whereby the horse supposing that he goeth right forward is deceiued for that hee turneth round Or as the Faulconer doth put hoods vpon the heads of his Haukes that so they may sit the quietter on his arme Euen so Sathan muffleth and hoodwinketh the Wicked by ignorance and by the delights pleasures vaine inticements of the world that so he may possesse them the quietter to their vtter ouerthrow 16 As the Adder is by nature enclined and desirous to sting and hurt with his poyson whome so euer hee may Euen so all the counsels of the Wicked tend to the encrease of wickednesse and mischiefe Psal 58.4.5 83.5 17 As the poysonfull nature of an Adder can by no means be redressed no not by enchauntment for he stoppeth his eares against the charmer Euen so there is no hope of the conuersion of obstinate Wicked ones who stubburnely refuse to heare all wholesome doctrine and good counsell that proceedeth out of the word Act. 7.57 18 As the Axe is in the hands of the hewers or workemen Euen so the Wicked whose miserie and seruice the Lord vseth to destroy and to plague others are also in the hand of God Esa 10.15 19 As men throwe away their tooles when they are worne and broken Euen so God when he hath finished his worke then he casteth away the Wicked whom onely he vseth as instruments of his wrath Esay 12. 20 As Anakins or Giants were driuen out of the land of Canaan for their sinnes
wicked and vniust if hee did distribute it good and such as he was commaunded the same could not let at all but that it should be good currant money and that they which should receiue it should very well make their profit thereof Euen so the Minister although he bee lawfully called and haue sufficient giftes to Preach yet if hee doo not administer the Sacraments according to the Lords ordenāce or do either disguise peruert them or else doo administer other in stead of them in thus doing the case is altered but otherwise the vitiousnesse of the person cannot nor may hinder the vertue of the Lordes ministerie 5 As the word of God although it bee Preached by mortall men yet ought the same to bee receiued of all good Christians not as the word of men but as the word of God and as it were proceeding out of the mouth of Christ 1. Thess 2.13 Euen so the holy Sacraments although they bee ministred by frayle and lewd Ministers are to bee receiued of the godly and religious not as proceeding from men but as it were from the hand of God himselfe the first and principall author thereof How Sinne dependeth on God LIke as the Physition comming vnto the sicke person doth by medicines draw corrupt humours out of his body and bringeth them out either by a Purgation or by a sweate or vomit or letting of bloud as hee iudgeth it best yet dooth hee not graft in the sicke person naughtie and corrupt humours Euen so God causeth to bee brought to light our malice which was not brought forth before but lay hid within to make manifest his iustice and to open our Sinnes and yet hee suffereth them to breake foorth by chaunce or rashly but ordereth and gouerneth them according to his iudgement that euen by them he doth fulfill the limits of his prouidence Esay 10.6 7.15 16. The Scripture not hard LIke as if one should affirme that because there bee some bones in a shoulder of Mutton therefore it is nothing but bones and no fleshe thereon at all Or because some places in the riuer bee deepe therefore all the riuer from head to foote is deepe and no shallow to bee found therein which were most rediculous to affirme Euen so is this opinion of the Papists that because some places in the Scripture bee hard therefore all the whole body of the Scripture is hard so as lay people may not read them Deut. 6.6 7. Psal 19.7 8. Col. 3.16 Iohn 5.39 2. Pet. 3.15 Secrecie 1 AS silence is a gift without perrill and containeth in it many good things So it were better our Silence brought our simplicitie into suspition then to speake either inconueniently idlely or vnnecessarily 2 As the Viper is torne in sunder when shee bringeth foorth her little ones So Secrets comming out of their mouthes that are not able to conceale them doo vtterly vndoo and ruine such as reueale them 3 As we must render account for euerie idle word So must we likewise for our idle Silence No Seruice pleaseth God but such as he teacheth AS the Lord in the first Commaundement wholly demaundeth the soule will vnderstanding and hart that is our faith feare loue thankefulnesse inuocation and spirituall adoration or worshipping to bee giuen to him onely and for his sake as he shall appoint So in the second Commaundement Thou shalt not make to thy selfe c. Hee generally requireth for the outward Seruice of him that we should follow his word in seruing of him and take and account it no lesse then Idolatrie or Image Seruice whatsoeuer thing is inuented by man Saint or Angell and not by him concerning his worshippe and Seruice Leuit. 26.1 Exod. 34.13 14 15. Deut. 4.23 Psa 97. 7 106.36 Esay 44.19 Iere. 2.27 There is no Sinne whatsoeuer but it is forbidden by the Law of God nor any good worke but it is there commaunded LIke as if a King being resolued to forgiue no offence worthie of death and thereupon pretending to set downe a Law which if his subiects keepe truely in euerie point they shall escape the edge of his sword and be well promoted yet one man for all that omitteth some matter worthie of death which beeing done the King conuenteth him before his iudgement seate as a malefactor layeth to his charge the committing of that euill or omitting of that good which is not contained in his Law and vpon confession thereof giueth sentence of condemnation against him the partie might well answere his King that hee were vniust and his Law vnperfect Euen so in like sort for as much as the Lord hath decreed death to bee the certaine reward of euerie Sinne. Rom. 6.23 and hath giuen his Law for this intent and to teach man to avoide whatsoeuer is damnable and that whosoeuer obserued all things written in this Law might liue thereby If there be any Sinne that is any thing that he will damne a man for not forbidden or any good worke not commaunded in this Law then is God vniust and the Lawe vnperfect of which neither is true for as for God hee is not vnrighteous Rom. 3.5 6. And as for the Law it is perfect Psal 19.7 Iam. 1.25 Sacraments be commonly called by the names of those things which they be Sacraments off LIke as when a Noble man or Gentleman deliuereth a letter of Annuitie or rent to any one of his seruants he saith he giueth him an Annuitie of ten pound by the yeare No man is so simple to thinke that the letter is the money it selfe but an assurance confirmation signe or gage of such a Summe of money in such sort that hauing such a letter he is full assured of the money Now no man is so blockish to thinke that hee hath euill spoken for so much as euerie man doth well know that the signes haue the names of the things which they signifie After this manner of speech also as an Ambassadour of a Prince being demaunded of the authoritie hee hath receiued of his Lord to deale in such or such a matter dooth vse to shew foorth his letters of credite or Commission and to say Here is mine authoritie albeit that the letters are not the power it selfe but onely the testimonie of the same Euen so the bread and the Wine are the remission of sinnes or the body and bloud of Christ to wit they are as seales and letters whereby we are assured that the body of Iesus Christ crucified and his bloud shed haue purchased vnto vs the forgiuenesse of Sinnes and eternall life Gene. 33.20 41.26 Ioh. 10.7 14.6 15.1 1. Cor. 10.4 16. Ezech. 4.1 5.2 2. Cor. 5.21 Ioh. 1.14 Saluation is to be sought in and by the appointed meanes though God could saue vs without all meanes AS God by his omnipotent power could preserue aliue our mortall bodies extraordinarily and supernaturally without naturall foode and sustenance as hee did Moses and Elijah the space of fortie dayes they not
receiuing in that time any bodily meate or drinke according to the order of nature yet neuerthelesse no man ought to refuse meate and drinke beeing the ordinarie meanes that God hath appointed for the preseruation of our bodily life Euen so God could saue vs without all meanes and giue vnto vs a liuely faith through the wonderfull working of the holy Ghost and that without either preaching or hearing of his word or else without prayer and ministration of the Sacraments yet neuerthelesse is it his ordinance not so to do Exod. 28.18 34.28 Deut. 9.9 1. Kin. 19.18 Act. 9.1 c. Sacraments 1 AS the great Castle Giliâ—fer floureth not til March and Aprill a yeare after the sowing and Marians Violets two yeares after their sowing So the grace of God receiued in baptisme doth not by and by shew forth it selfe till some yeares after the infusion 2 Euen as the best medicines doo most annoy vnlesse they bee rightly ministred and receiued So the vnspeakable wholesome Sacraments of Christ to the worthie receiuers are al health and life but to the vnworthie death and damnation 3 As a seale is altogether vnprofitable yea not allowed a seale vnlesse it be bounde or set to some instrument or writing for the confirmation thereof Euen so the Sacraments are altogether vnprofitable yea indeed are no Sacraments if they be not ioyned with the word of God preached to confirme the same vnto vs. Matth. 28.19 1. Cor. 11.26 4 As they which come to heare the Gospell preached and want faith receiue nothing but words and the Gospell to them is no Gospell Euen so they which come to receiue the Sacraments without faith do indeed receiue the symballs or signes but they haue not the fruite and thing of the Sacraments 5 As Circumcision which was a Sacrament of the old Lawe was a seale in that time to our Fathers of righteousnesse Euen so be our Sacraments to vs in these daies seales of Gods promises vnto vs and al haue one strength and vertue 6 Like as the Sunne which shineth well for all but not to all so it happeneth to those to whom the Sacraments are ministred 7 As there are none but those which haue eyes and do open their eyes that do receiue the light of the Sunne the which it representeth to all but in the meane time such as are blinde or do shut their eyes do not receiue it for they haue not the instrument without the which they cannot receiue it So standeth it betweene the faithfull the vnfaithful in respect of the ministery of the church for it representeth vnto all the benefites of God And albeit that the wicked and faithlesse do not receiue them at all that notwithstanding the fame letteth not but that the Ministery hath alway in it self his vertue But in the mean while it is not ordeined but to be exercised towards those for whom it was ordained or otherwise it should not be a Ministery and by consequence shuld not haue his vertue For where there is no faith in the heart there the holy Sacraments or signes do no more profit the soule then the light or shining of the Sunne doo those that are blind 8 As a corrupt and withered braunch which sticketh still fast to the tree but for all that can receiue no strength or life from the roofe or hart of the tree Euen so the vnfaithfull although they receiue outwardly the bread and the wine of the Ministers in the Supper of the Lord yet they do not receiue the fatte or the inward strength and the treasure to wit the life the holy Ghost or to speak it in one word the communion of the body and of the bloud of Iesus Christ no more then the corrupted or withered braunch receiueth life and strength of the tree in the which it is dead albeit for a time it cleaueth fast to it 9 Euen as it followeth not that for so much as the withered braunch can draw to himselfe no strength nor receiue life that therefore it must needs bee also that the sound braunches can draw or receiue no strength or life of the trunke or body of the tree or that it doth not communicate his life vnto those good and sound braunches Euen so it followeth not that the Sacraments be vain and bare signes because that the vnfaithfull cannot lay hold on life nor on that which is offered and sealed vnto vs by the same 10 As the fault is not in the Tree but in the withered braunches that it receiueth not from the Tree a fatnesse or a iuce So no more is the fault in God which offereth and presenteth to all men richly his giftes but in the vnfaithfull which neither will nor can receiue and imbrace the same because of their vnfaithfulnesse through the which they are dead in the body of the christian church as oftentimes a braunch doth starue in a good tree 11 Like as the Scripture of God is an Indenture betwixt him and vs wherin is contained both the promises grace and mercy which God offereth to the world in his sonne Christ and also the conditions which he requires to be fulfilled on our behalfe So the Sacraments are the seales set to this Indenture to strengthen our faith that we do not doubt 12 As it is not inough to write the conditions of a bargaine in an Indenture except it be sealed Euen so God for our weakenesse thought it not sufficient to make vs promise of blessings in writing in his Scriptures but he would seale it with his owne blood and institute his Sacraments as seales and pledges of the same trueth to remaine to be receiued of vs in remembrance of him and strengthening of our faith So that we may very conueniently say that Sacraments are as witnesses and solemne oathes wherby we do as it were homage to God and do make profession of our faith and Religion 13 Like as in CircumcisioÌ„ there meet foure things that is to say the promise the commaundement of the signe and the beliefe of the promise So likewise in the meeting of euery Sacrament the same things must of necessitie meete namely that a godly Sacrament be a visible signe commaunded and ordained by God Whereby like as God beareth record of his promise vnto men so man accepting the signe doth on the other side professe his faith toward God and confirmeth the same with the vse of the signe and by thinking vpon it 14 Like as if a man would take the bush that hangeth at the Tauerne doore and should sucke it for to slake his thirst and would not goe into the Tauerne where the Wine is might bee well accounted an idiot and a foole Euen so likewise may he be reckoned a foole that wheras the signes of the Sacraments were ordained by God to bee helpes to nourish and plant faith in our hearts and to confirme in vs the promises of God hee through ignorance thereof as many doo should preposterously iudge of the same