I protest with a moÌ„strous oath that I meane no harme it is not for reuenge or anger but custom I am friends with God and all the world And thus hee would iustifie the tree when the fruits be wicked He sweares his yea and his nay backward and forward hee salutes his friends and seasons his ieasts with cursing banning and shall we beleeue that he feares God when he teares God on this maner Shall wee thinke him so good a fellow as he makes himselfe Salomon saith the fauours of the wicked be crueltie Prou. 12. 10 14. 9. his courtesies be cursings his salutations vengeance and mischiefe Are not these such fooles as make but a sport of sinne Are not these such deceitfull men as feigne themselues mad and cast firebrands at their friends and then say Am Prou. 26. 18 I not in sport It is the propertie of some dogs to barke not so much for curstnesse as for custome Petrarch saith one and yet it is but a currish qualitie at the best and surely hee that hath such a continual issue and canker in his mouth of rotten words and bitter streames must needs haue a sinke of corruption in the heart and whatsoeuer small reconing hee maketh of cursing and blasphemie yet hee that sweareth often must needes bee like a seruant often beaten and Ecclus. 23. 10. 11. bunched which can not be without some scarre saith the wise man and if he knowledge not his sinne he maketh a double offense for the righteous Lord that wil demaund an account of euery Matth. 12. 36. idle worde will not hold him guiltlesse vndoubtedly that with monstrous oathes taketh his name in vaine howsoeuer the iudgements of the Lord are not regarded by the wicked It is a question moued and answered by that learned father Basil whether he that vseth audacious speech and rash termes and yet vpon admonitioÌ„ for the same maketh answere Nihil habeo mali in corde I haue no euil in my heart Quest 28. â—iffus expl be to be credited in this case or no His answere is that it fareth with a sicke soule as with a sicke body The diseases of the body appeare not to euery one no not to the Patient himselfe when he is in his sharpest fittes yet when he rageth speaketh absurdly and idly though he saith hee is not sicke no man of meane experience will beleeue him but rather pittie his case being the more neere daunger by how much hee seemes the farther from feeling and sense of his griefe In which case an expert physicion acquainted with the rules and signes of his art is able to discerne the secret disease and the daunger thereof and better enforme the Patient of his estate theÌ„ the standers by or the patieÌ„t afflicted himselfe So is it with a soule-sicke wretch that nether feels his corruptioÌ„ nor knows the depth of his deadly wouÌ„d For if he rage and belch out vnsauorie rotten words cursings blasphemies though he say his hart is sound and cleane shall wee beleeue him Nay rather let vs giue credit to the Lord which as a most approued Physicion hath set downe this Aphorisme as an infallible rule Malus homo c. An euill man out of the euill treasure of his hart bringeth forth euill Luke 6. 45. For of the aboundance of the heart the mouth speaketh And howsoeuer mans conscience think it selfe cleare or his mouth protesteth of his innocencie yet God is greater then his conscience and will waken his sleepie soule at the last by the scourge of the same conscience but in the meane while wee are to know the tree by the fruict and the fountaine by the water assuring our selues that where smoke and vapoures are there is some fire and where maleuolent speaches breake forth there is a malignant humour that sets them a float The offense of an euill tongue increaseth by circumstances of the person that is assaulted by the ryot of the same The highest degree is to set the mouth against heauen as Rabsache Isa 36. and Iulian the Apostate did the next is to curse Eccles 10. 20. Exod. 22. 28. the King or speake euill of the ruler of the people to rayle at Authoritie and then follow such as vnnaturally curse father or mother or curse Leuit. 20. 9. their children as Michahs mother cursed hir son Iudges 17. 2. Leuit. 19. 14. and such as vncharitably curse the deafe which cannot heare or foolishly curse themselues and sweare as Peter did to get credit amongst a Mark 14. 71. cursed company that vsed belike that fashion in their affirmations As in all these the impatiencie or corruption of a wicked hart is discouered so also doth it shew it selfe in the rage and crueltie of a man against the verie dumbe cattell the power of whose life and death is in his handes Balaam â—um 22. 29. may discouer his wicked heart when he exceedeth in wrath against his asse and smiteth him with a staffe and wisheth a sword in his hand like a ruffian to kill him for a good man is mercifull to his Prou. 12. 10. cattell saith Salomon and the beast that hee may kill vpon an occasion hee will not curse in his anger for polluting his mouth or inuring his tongue to a wicked custome for euill speach corrupteth good maners Nay Michael giueth vs an example that we are not to blame no not the diuell himselfe with cursed speach but to Iude. 1. 9. giue place to the Lord that shall rebuke him And therefore they that defie him and curse him with outragious tearmes rather serue him and please him then offend him for saith the wise man When the vngodly man curseth Satan Ecclus. 21. 27. be curseth his owne soule But of all other no cursed speakers are so daungerous in our estate and neede so much to be curbed as those monsters which Saint Peter 2. Pet. 2. shadoweth out in their colours that walke after the flesh in the lust of vncleannesse despising gouernment being presumptuous and standing in their owne conceipt and not fearing to speake euill of those that are in dignitie Be there not many of that vipers brood cockered vnder the Popes wings that hisse like serpeÌ„ts at their dearest mother and curse like Shimei casting out rayling bookes like stones to hitte the Anoyncted of the Lord But they fall like stones tossed into the ayre vpon their owne heades Amongst our selues at home who is hee almost that dares not reuile those that are of greatest vertue best desert highest authoritie if they perceyue not such to fauour their dissolute behauiour But when the Diuell and drinke meete togither as they doe in many of our licentious people now a dayes then is euerie sober man a noted enemie euerie Magistrate that keepeth peace or good order a professed foe The Drunkardes will Psal 69. 12. not sticke to make songes of Dauid nor speake euill of the Gouernours and
TWO SERMONS OF ASSISE The one intituled A prohibition of Reuenge The other A Sword of Maintenance Preached at two seuerall times before the Right worshipfull Iudges of Assise and Gentlemen assembled in Hertford for the execution of iustice and now published By W. Westerman Minister of the word in Sandridge LONDON ⧠Printed by R. B. for Gregory Seaton and are to be solde at his shop vnder Aldersgate 1600. MVNIFICENTIA REGIA 1715. GEORGIVS D.G. MAG BR â—â—ET HIB â—â—â— FD. J. Pinâ— sculp To the Right worshipfull and worthie Gentlemen master Rafe Coningsbye and master Pope Blunt Esquiers and in Commission of the Peace for the Countie of Hertf. and libertie of S. Albans W. W. wisheth all increase of heauenly wisdome to the glorie of God the profite of their Countrie and the saluation of their owne soules AT your requests in your seuerall Sheriualties Right worshipfull I preached these two sermons where I trust the Lord gaue a blessing to the fruit of my barren and vnworthie lippes But because the most part of Auditors heare sermons as Trauailers by the lawe might vse Grapes that is eate some Deut. 23. 25 for the present time but cary none away with them and for that our Lord and Sauiour teacheth such frugalitie in feasts of small preparation that the fragments should be gathered â—ohn 6. 12. vp and nothing lost I haue thought it not amisse to presse out the liquour of these my grapes and present the reuersion of them as it were after the feast in this basket of leaues for a more generall vse and longer continuaunce If the remaynes seeme greater then the former prouision impute it to Gods blessing that suffereth no decrements nor want at his feastes and to the short allowance of tyme wherewith my wordes but not my sense were assysed and stinted at the first deliuerie In such earnest businesse when there is no surplus of time to bee borrowed we holde it lawfull to temporize not quenching the spirit but coÌ„ueying the streams of our words within narrow banks after which sort they may be more fruitfull the Lorde assisting then if they ouerflowed all without boundes or measure But howsoeuer then these exercises were abridged by the hower yet now in the writing I haue giuen them more free vent and libertie where euerie man may bee the caruer of his owne time in hearing and reading And in this maner nowe published I sende them abroade vnder your names and tytles Right worshipfull that they may be not onelie a pledge of my good will to you both vnited in one Epistle as yee are in loue and in loue like Dauid 1. SaÌ„ 20. 17. 2. Sam. â— 2â— and Ionathan but also giue testimonie of that commendable order in your graue assemblies where I perceiued both Iudges and Gentlemen beginning their affaires with the first fruits of their knees eares hearts and tongues consecrated to God and directing the rest of their proceedings accordingly in wisedome and iustice In this loose and prophane age wherin too many make an Idole of their priuate fancie and blesse themselues in their mother witte the moste base Idolatrie of all others â—ib de vera elig ca. 38. saith Austen It is a comfort yet that the Cedars and men of greatest note will beautifie Gods seruice with theyr worthie examples as they strengthen iudgement with their Authoritie The deligent execution of iudgement in ciuil causes is without doubt an acceptable seruice to God For which purpose both Iudges Rulers are commanded to be wise and learned that in the same they may serue the Lord yet not onely as ciuil Politicians but as holy Christians with feare and trembling And therefore they Psal 2. must kisse the sonne least he be angrie and bende the knees of their wisdome power authoritie to the name of him first that is president ouer the congregation of the gods on earth The heathens neuer durst attempt any matter of great importance without inuocation on their gods and some solemne inauguration or sacrifice performed by their priests and wizards to get a forehand blessing to their actions Euen amongst them it seemed absurd and arrogant to commence graue enterpryses without calling a greater power to their assistaunce although some did attribute so much to their owne wisedome prowesse and fortune that they thought praiers were for simple wretches and fooles as Aiax like an Atheist vaunted Aliorum est vincere MelaÌ„cthon â—rat de precat Dâ—o iuuante c. Other cowardlie fellowes may obtaine victorie by the helpe of God but such as he could do well enough without him Yet such were accompted most miserable euen of those that had onelie a generall glimse of an vnknowne God and therefore Homer at all hard assaies sheweth how great small did enterprise nothing without some supplication to the gods As for the auncient Israelites they had their Leuites Numb 10. with trumpets to go before them Priestes and Prophets assistant in all 1. Sam. 13. 13 difficult occasions When Saul left Samuel he proued himselfe a foole though hee offered a selfe-will sacrifice to the Lord. And what became of the penne of the Scribes or the wisdome of the wise when they leaned to their owne fancies The pen saith Ieremy became vain Ierem. 8. 9. the wise meÌ„ are ashamed afraid taken for lo they haue reiected the word of the Lord and what wisdom is in theÌ„ But the practise in those your assemblies declare your reuerence to holy exercises which to your coÌ„mendations and gods glory are continued the Charter of heauen being first vnfolded the Commission from the next supreame Gouernor afterward being read that both your authoritie from heauen and earth may giue the Iudges confidence in their proceedings good successe in their determinations In that place at two seuerall times I was a witnes of the generall coÌ„sent of many worthy gentlemeÌ„ for the furtheraÌ„ce of peace iustice good order but I haue had dayly experience in your selues som others about vs with what singular care and dexteritie you haue managed the weightie affaires both of your Prince and country whensoeuer you haue beene emploied by commission from the one or petition from the other Neither haue your publike employments withdrawne you from the exercise of priuate vertues your delight in holie exercises is manifest by your diligent repaire vnto them your affabilitie and kindnesse appeareth in the courteous carriage of your selues towardes all men that deserue not the contrarie Which personall qualities are also graced with a diligent reformation of your followers a matter of greater In Paâ—â—gyâ—ic dicto Traiano magnificence saith Plinie then for a man to reforme himselfe Whence it was that the Queene of Saba was not onelie in admiration of Salomons wisdome â— King 10. 5. and answers but also of the sitting of his seruants and the order and apparell of his attendants To confirme and encourage you in this course of vertue ye haue had both domesticall and neighbour examples
whereof some haue ended their race others remaine still not forgetfull of their Countrie by priuate occasions or greater preferments Amongst whom I may register these two worthy ancient standards sir Henrie Cocke and sir Philip Butler knights of especiall marke and accompt such as since my remembrance haue flourished in the Courts of the Lords house and yeelded much excellent seruice to their Prince succour to their couÌ„try and shadow to the Preachers and ministers of the truth Neither is the last of these qualities to be the least regarded especiallie amongst vs where the ministers are prouided of maintenaunce but as yonger brethren hauing liuings for the most part like the Amazonites giuing sucke but of one breast the other being diseased with a Wolfe or quite cut off with an Impropriation For who seeth not how euerie Bramble is readie to scratch them that creepe low euerie cowarde hartned to strike him that may not strike again I speake not this for impatiencie of want or iniuries or to plead an irregularitie to priuiledge any corruption in vs for wee haue learned both to be abased to abound to turne our cheekes to the smiter and giue for a Philip. 4. 10. Math. 5. need the coat of a poore vicaridge to him that by law can take away the cloake of of our parsonage But so long as the Lord maintaineth the crowne vpon the head of his annointed handmaid continueth our gracious Prince nurse royall of the Gospel mother of peace we are to expect safely vnder such as you Right worshipfull being hir hands wings of defence as she is the Angel of God vpon the earth for the preseruation of his prophets people And I must confesse that as the Lord hath planted this barren iurisdiction with many fruitfull vines so haue they receiued froÌ„ time to time much comfort assistance in their ministerie by you the religious gentlemen of dignitie and countenaunce wherein you giue testimony thai you feare the Lord whose lowly ambassadors you kindly entertain And his true feare is the only grain that setteth a perfect glasse and a liuely tincture vpon all other wordly respectes and colours which shall flourish when Nimrods Babel Absolons pillar all gorgeous buildings with the names of their founders shal lie in the dust Neither amongest these comforts receyued toward the encouragement of the Ministers here abouts may I forget the tender regard of that reuerend father placed ouer vs now L. B. of Lond. whose entraÌ„ce was in much fatherly kindnesse towards vs not in any hard exactions coloured with beneuolence but rather in forbearance of auntient duties since when he hath declared his continuall care by diuerse cautions giuen for our gentle and courteous vsage beside the preuention of some late expenses and payments that else-where the meanest liuings tasted deepely of All which temporall encouragements being supplies of some coÌ„tentation to a meane estate we thankefully aâ—cept as at the handes of God thereby acknowledging our selues deepely bound to distill our spirits and studies into such wine of comfort as may againe cheare both God and men In the depth of which desire I the most vntimely slippe in the vineyard haue tendered these two SermoÌ„s as an after gleaning of grapes vnto the presse of learning the licor wherof if it hath any waterish or earthly weâ—t impute it to the caske if it haue any celestiall rellishe or sweet sauour yeelde the praise and glorie to God who is able to turne our weake water into wine of stroÌ„g consolation whereof I wish the perpetuall fruition to your selues as to mine own soule And further desiring the Lord of his abundance to multiplie his graces spirituall temporall vpoÌ„ you your posteritie for euer I huÌ„bly take my leaue Yours in the Lord William Westerman Auenge not your selues dearely beloued Text Rom. 12. 19. but giue place vnto wrath for it is written vengeaunce is mine and I will repaye sayth the Lord. THe most wise and holy Lord Law-giuer of Israell Right Worshipfull and right Christian Audience ordayned that the sonnes of Aaron with their siluer Trumpets should souÌ„d out as well the sommons vnto the ciuill assemblies Numb 10. 2. 3. of peace and religious exercises as the Alarum to battayle and warlike enterprises The same Lord beeing our God still requireth the substance of those ceremonious shadowes in our solemnities For yee are his people we are the Leuites his two Testaments are the two siluer Trumpets the distinction of sounds is pricked downe before vs in his booke of truth whose direct wee are to sing after souÌ„ding out sometime doctrine of instruction sometime of reproofe sometime of comfort setting it sometimes to the heads and rulers sometimes to the meaner sort sometimes to peace sometimes to warr as the Lord sheweth occasion and the spirit giueth vtterance Now because I am at this present though of my selfe an earthen pitcher yet called to vtter some certaine voyce out of these siluer trumpets that all sorts of Auditors heere assembled may reuerently and in the feare of God prepare themselues to be Actors in this entended seruice I haue made choyse of this Text to be the keye whereunto I may set my tune wherein the holie Ghost by saint Paul soundeth a retreate vnto all quarrellers and plaintiffes intending priuate reuenge or hammering mischiefe in their hearts For as in the former part of this Chapter hee vsed all sweet inducements vnto loue and peace and all good arguments to disswade from haughtinesse of minde ambition selfe-conceipt being the only sparkes that fire mens affections and hinder that peace which wee should keepe with all men if it be possible and lye in vs so now as though hee perceaued mens heartes burning theyr desires swelling theyr mouthes raging theyr handes threatning theyr daggers drawne and the peace in daunger to be broken he steppeth foorth in the middest as a blessed peace-maker and draweth out the sword of the spirit to take vp all quarrels preuent all mischiefes after this manner Auenge not your selues dearely beloued but giue place to wrath for it is written c. This seemes to be a Writ from aboue and it is to be serued by vs the Messengers of the Lord vpon you his people that by meanes of your Christian profession doe owe especiall obedience to the high court of heauen If wee breake open this writ wee shall perceiue the contentes thereof to be first A Prohibition 1. Prohibition of Reuenge Auenge not your selues dearely beloued but giue place to wrath secondly a ConfirmacioÌ„ by the Authoritie of scripture For 2. Confirmatiâ— it is written vengeaunce is mine I will repay sayth the Lord. Reuenge is the punishment of iniuries and The Prohibition the redresse of wrongs the questioÌ„ is to whom this punishment and vengeaunce belongeth it is mine saith the Lord I will repay by my selfe or my substitutes therefore Auenge not yourselues intrude not into my throne forestall