huÌ„ter but this is not all if onely this Generall and Prince of Diuels did lie in waite to intrappe our soules the danger were not so great because wee should haue some truce and intermission of pursuite for the diuell caÌ„not assault euery man at one time for being a Spirit hee is definitiuely in a place wherfore that maÌ„like (e) Gen. 8. Noahs doue may find no rest for the sole of his foote the diuell hath his Lieutenants who like their maister are Roaring Lyons onely they goe not vp and downe from man to man too and fro as he doth but they haunt one man and him they seeke to deuoure these are the Mali-Genij Euill spirites that follow vs continually and attend vs from the Cradle to the graue euermore enticing and alluring vs to sinne as euery man that is Elect hath ordinarily One good Angell and extraordinarily manie by the assignement of GOD to guard and accompanie him from his natiuitie to his death So of the contrarie part as manie of the Fathers held for triall sake he hath one euill-spirite ordinâ—rily extraordinarilie many by the permission of God The two branches of this position growe from these rootes In the Gospell by Saint Matthewe Our Sauiour saith concerning children (f) Math. 18.10 See that you despise not one of these little ones for I say vnto you that in Heauen their Angels alwayes beholde the face of my Father which is in heauen Hereby our Sauiour meaneth nothing else but that young children and also when they be growen men haue their spirituall Tutours to teach them to defend them and to implore vengeaÌ„ce from God against him that offereth them anie iniurie So doth Chrysostome Hierome and Augustine expound this place Likewise in the Actes of the Apostles when Peter being by an Angell deliuered out of prison came to the house of Marie the mother of Iohn (g] Acts. 12. whose surname was Marke and knocked a maide came forth named Rhode to hearken who it was that knocked and when she knewe Peters voice it is written that shee opened not the entrie dore for gladnesse but ranne in and told how Peter stood before the entrie but they saide vnto her Thou art madde yet shee affirmed it constantly that it was so Then said they It is his Angell Here the women spake according to the opinion of the Hebrewes at that time which was that Euery man hath his good Angell assigned vnto him for Direction and Protection And from the Hebrews as Iustine and Eusebius affirme the Gentiles learned the same Doctrine as it appeareth in h) Menand Menander saying A spirite standâ—th by euery one as soone as he is borne being the good guide of his life (i) Chriso in Matth. 18. hom 60. Saint Chrysostome saith that All the Saintes haue their Angels and (k) Basil in Psalm 33. Concien 9. Saint Basile Euery one that beleeueth in the Lord hath his good Angell euer about him if wee driue him not away with our euill works Of the same opinion is l) Hiero. tom 9. in Mat. ca. 18. Saint Hierome whose words are these Great is the dignitie of our soules when as euery one of them from the natiuitie hath an Angell appointed vnto it for the preseruation and custodie thereof and of the same minde is S. Augustine who thus speaketh vnto God in his meditations m] Aug. libr. med cap. 12. I esteeme it a great benefit that from my Natiuitie thou hast assigned vnto mee an Angell of peace to kâ—epe mee euen vnto my ende I might alledge many other testimonies out of the Fathers but these are sufficient to shewe that euery one that is Elect hath his good Angell But the maiâ—e doubt is of the contrarie part whether euery one hath his euill spirit Concerning this point I finde no vniuersalitie in opinion among the Fathers Yet it is affirmed not onely by the Gentiles but also by the Christians The Platonists say that euery man hath his Euill spirite assigned vnto him and so likewise doth (n) Orig. peri. archon lib. 3. in Luc. tom 2. hom 2. Origen in two seuâ—rall places of his workes Euery man saith he hath two Angels The one is an Angell of Iustice the other of iniquitie If there bee good cogitations in our heart without doubt the Angell of the Lord speaketh vnto vs but if euill thoughtes arise in our mind then one of the diuels angels speaketh vnto vs. Of this opinion was o) Chry. hom 2. in Mat. ca. 4. hom 5. Mag. senten lib. 2. dist 11. Chrysostome and S. Gregorie as hee is quoted by the Maister of the sentences The Scripture telleth vs that King (p) 1. Sam. 16.14 Saul had an Euill spirit sent of the Lord to vexe him and S. Paul confesseth that he was buffeted by the spirit of Belial but it caÌ„not be proued directly that these did follow them from their birth Certaine it is that euery man is beset coÌ„tinually with legions of euill spirits And it is probable (q) 2. Cor. 12 7. that as God appointeth extraordinarilie many good Angels who are his ministring spirites and ordinarily one to attend and guard vs so hee permitteth ordinarily one extraordinarily manie euill spirites daily to assault vs. So that a Man hath no time wheren hee can be free from the Tempter For his life is a daily warfare As (r) Zach. 3.1 with Iehoshua so it is with euery one of Gods children euen when we stand before the Angel of the Lord either preaching or praying Sathan or some of his angels stands at our right hand to resist vs. Secondly the Fight that euery spirituall Gad or Souldier hath with the diuell and his angels is not for a Day a moneth or a yeare but all the dayes moneths and yeares of our life we must combat skirmish with them without any truce or intermission That speech in Iob mentioned before where it is saide according to the Latine translation Vita hominis est miliâ—ia super Terram The life of man is a warfare vpon earth is by the Septuagint Translated Peiratérion which is A Place of Pyracies and Temptations the Greeke word doth aptlie expresse the danger to which the life of man lieth opeÌ„ For Sathan being both a Pyrate or a Thiefe a TeÌ„pter by his subtle temptations seeketh continually to robbe vs of eternall life therefore it concernes our freeholde to resist him couragiouslie When the Iewes vnder Nehemiah repaired the walles of Ierusalem it is saide that (Å¿) Nehem. 4.17 They which builded on the wall and they that bare burdens and they that laded did the worke with one hand and with the other helde the sworde And this they did for feare of Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite who were their enemies being euer readie both to worke and to fight So must the Christian Souldier do whatsoeuer his temporall emploiments be let him euer haue the Sword of Gods Worde in his hand
the branches of the tree that God shewed Moses it turneth bitternesse into sweetnesse and an ill disposition into a good inclination be ye wise therefore ô ye parents and learne by Iacobs example to crush kill the Crocodile in the shell to roote vp weedes before they be stemmed and to beate downe sin in your children before it be ripened come to its full growth Custome in sinning is the nurse of necessitie saith Bernard nay it is another nature saith the Philosopher therefore be cautelous and warie to preuent this inconueniencie by due correction Iacob reproues his sonne and his Eldest sonne this his action condemneth such parents as are like vnto the Image of Diana in the Iland Câ—ios which was so artificially carued that on the one side being looked vpon it seemed to smile but on the other to frowne so we haue some which will pamper and make too too much of their eldest sonnes ouerlooke their vices and continually smile vpon them but make no difference betwixt seruants or slaues and their youngest euer checking controuling and deiecting theÌ„ with their frownes hence it comes to passe that very often the Hieroglyphicke of the Ape is verified in them which is this Pyer in hierogl A shee ape painted with two young ones one embraced in her armes and the other lying at her feete and the motto is Inuisus haeres The enuied or the hated ape proues to be the heire and the reason is because with ouermuch cockering shee killes him whom she loues so doe parents with their eldest sonnes but let vs heare the good aduise of S. Ambrose (h) Amb in gen 37.9 The father ought to take heed saith he if he haue more children then one that he shew not himselfe more louing to one than another for so may he easily marre that child which he fauoureth aboue the rest sith by reason of his fathers good will he will soone take a libertie of sinning further the rest of his brethren wil be easily inflamed with hatred or enuie against him I wish therefore that all earthly fathers would be like our heauenly father who chastiseth whom he loues and correcteth euery sonne that he receiueth In the vision of the maiestie of God which Iohn sawe (i) Apoc. 4.3 he that sate vpon the throne was to looke vpon like a Iasper stone a Sardine the Iasper is greene and is the embleme of Mercy the Sardine is red like blood and is the figure of Iustice of this complexion should all carnal parents be if their children be vertuous and religious then let them be cherished that kind vsage and clemencie may stirre and spurre them vp to perfection but if like Reuben they follow lewd courses then let them curb them and restraine their intemporancie with correction and seueritie Secondly Reuben is punished with the losse of his Birth-right priesthood and kingdome fortie yeares after his fault was committed and though Iacob was the Herald to proclaime this curse yet God was the primarie cause and author of it wherein wee may learne That the Reuenge of sinne though it be late yet it is euer certaine (k) Dan. 7.9 though God Sit vpon his Throne yet his throne standeth vpon wheeles his Sitting portendeth delaie but the wheeles shew that he will come to iudgement though it be said that after the fall of Adam God walked in the garden (l) Gen. 3.8 which motion is slowe yet he came with a voyce which was heard farre off so doeth he now with vs which are the children of Adam before he vtter his Vbi es where art thou he walkes or makes delay to see if his adiournying and long suffering will worke any repentance in vs and his voyce is this Except you repent you shall all likewise perish but at length hee comes and when he comes hee rides vpon the winges of the wind and sitteth betweene the Cherubins the Wind imports Swiftnesse and the Cherub as Aquinas interprets the word fulnesse of knowledge so then his long stay breedeth in him no forgetfulnesse of our sins hee hath a catalogue of them all in this booke are all our offences written though it be long before hee come yet when he comes he comes swiftly and his feete are like (m) Apo. 1.13 fine brasse burning as in a furnace of so hard and hot a temper that at his appearance the heauens melt like wax and with his onely touch the wicked are bruised in peeces like a potters vessell Gods long sufferance should be in vs all a motiue to repentance but it is the very seed of securitie and the impunitie of sinne daily committed groundeth this perswasion in our hearts That there is no God or if there be Tush the Lord sees not Oh let not our mercifull fathers loue and kindnesse be so mistaken you that are like the Idol of Dagon halfe fish halfe flesh I meane Christians in Name but Atheists in life and conuersation go to the Heathen writers Orpheus and Socrates and they will both teach you that there is a God goe to the schoole of Reason and it affoords you this conclusion Hee that made the Eye shall he not see and he that planted the eare shall he not heare and haue but recourse to former examples and daily experience and they will signifie thus much The punishment of sinne though it bee late yet it is euer certaine Thirdly Reuben for a little short pleasure lost his Birth-right all his dignitie Hence we are taught that one momentanie delight may depriue a man of many great blessings For as God hath (n) Cam. 5.14 Hands like wings of golde set with the Chrysolite full of liberalitie and bountie to bestow his fauours where hee discerneth any sparkes of goodnes so hath hee a Hand wherein there is a Fan and a Sword to cut off the vnrighteous and diuide them from his graces God gaue to Salomon more then hee desired (o) 1. Reg. â— both Wisedome wealth and CHRIST bequeaths vpon the Crosse to the penitent Thiefe more then he requested (p) Luc. 23.43 the Fee simple and full possession of Paradice whereas his wish was but a Memento Lord remember mee when thou commest into thy Kingdome Loe here is bountie but of the contrary part where he finds in stead of Salomons discretion and the Thiefes contrition vanities adoration then he closeth his handes and withdraweth his fauour if Esau prise a messe of pottage before his Birth-right Esau shall loose his Blessings and become the seruant of Iacob if the rebellious Israelites long for the flesh-pots of Aegipt they shal be debarred from entrance into the land of promise and if Reuben follow the Flesh (q) Gen. 27.4 and forsake the Spirit Reuben must lose his Birth-right Priesthood and kingdome Thus doth one temporarie pleasure rob a man of manie excellent blessings Goe to then yee garish daughters of Zion walke with wauering Eyes minse it as yee goe and keep
he should smite the Heathen for hee shall rule them with a rod of iron for hee it is that treadeth the Wine-presse of the fiercenesse and wrath of Almightie GOD These words doe most liuely set forth the glorious victorie that Christ hath ouer all his enemies Hee is the (p) Iosuah 5.14 Captaine of the Lords Host that quickly foyleth and in the twinckling of an eye putteth to flight all his Aduersaries and therefore he is said to Ride vpon a white horse He neuer fighteth but vpon a iust quarrell for the defence of Truth and therefore hee is called Faithfull and True It is long before he strike but when he comes he is as a Giant ready to runne his course fierce and terrible And therefore his Eyes are said to be like a flame of fire when he maketh warre hee euer vanquisheth and therefore as tokens of Triumph vpon his Head he weareth many Crownes It is bootelesse for anie to withstand his power for hee is Omnipotent and therefore he hath a Name and this is THE WORD OF GOD the mysterie whereof none perfectlie knoweth but himselfe who is Light of Light and verie God of very God As hee is mercifull to spare the liues of such as yeelde and Repent so is hee most seuere against such as be obstinate and impenitent and this is signified by his Garment dipt in blood And likewise the Psalmist saith he shall wash his footesteppes in the blood of his enemies though he neede not the assistance or aide of any because he is most strong and mightie yet because the Righteous for whose cause he fighteth shall be auenged of their enemies and be partakers of his glorie they also are saide to follow him vpon white horses and being his souldiers their armour is linnen white and pure pure Innocencie and white Patience The enemies whom hee smiteth with the sharpe sword of his Iustice and whom he ruleth with the Iron rod of his power be the heathen that is to say all Vnbeleeuers or Infidels so then (q) Mar. 16.16 he that shall beleeue and be baptised shall bee saued but he that will not beleeue shall be daÌ„ned lastly though the children of God suffer much violence in this world yet must they beare it with patience and referre their reuenge to Christ for it is he alone that readeth the winepresse of the sâ—â—reenes and wrath of Almightie God and it is onely hee That layeth his hand vpon the necke of his enemies Thirdlie as Iudah was the Soueraigne of all his Brethren for his fathers sonnes bowed downe vnto him So our SAVIOVR CHRIST IESVS is a King (r) Isai 9.7 for he sitteth vpon the throne of Dauid vpon his Kingdome to order it to stâ—â—â—â—h it with iudgem nt with iustice Hee is a King but his Kingdome is not of this world therefore none bow downe vnto him or worship him out of zeale and loue but onely his Fathers Sonnes namely the Elect who are the adopted children of GOD the Father (Å¿) Philip. 2.8.9.10 Hee humbled himselfe saith Saint Paule and became obedient vnto death euen the death of the Crosse wherefore GOD hath also highly exalted him and giuen him a Name aboue euery Name That at the Name of IESVS should euery knee bowe both of things in heauen and things in earth and things vnder the earth According to this edict and statute of Almightie God the Angels and Sainctes in heauen doe worship and adore him Also the Chosen vessels that liue vpon the earth doe in all humilitie honour and reuerence him and vnder the earth euen Sathan himselfe and the spirites of darknesse though not voluntarilie yet compulsiuelie doe bow downe their neckes and kneele downe before him (t) Mark 1 24. acknowledging him to be The holie one of God Melchisedech was a King and a Priest Dauid was a King and a Prophet and Salomon a King and a Preacher But CHRIST IESVS was both a Preacher a Prophet a Priest and a King and therefore if euerie one of them in regard of their Office deserued honour his due is treble Honour Wee must therefore bowe downe our neckes vnto him because hee is a King and a Priest wee must bowe our hearts because hee is a King and a Prophet and we must bow our knees because he is a King a Preacher offering vnto him like the Wise-men of the East Golde Myrrhe and Franke-incense That is to say whatsoeuer we take pleasure or delight in to do him or his seruants seruice our goods with Zacheus wee must diuide amongst the poore with our garments like Lydia we must cloath the naked with our Spikenard like Marie we must annoynt the heads of them that be sicke for in doing this seruice to one of these litle ones we manifest our loue and loyaltie to our King Christ Iesus (u) Mark 11. It is written that our Sauiour rid into Ierusalem vpon a young asse and that a great multitude of them that beleeued when they heard that he should come into the citie went forth to meete him some of them cast their garments vpon the asses colt some spred their clothes in the way and others cut downe branches of palme trees strewed them before him euery one shewing some signe of reuerence and honour and they that went before and they that followed cryed saying Hosanna blessed is he that commeth in the name of the Lord. This act of the faithfull Iewes must be our president though Iesus Christ rid but vpon an asse which is a contemptible creature yet they blessed and glorified him because they knewe that his kingdome stood not in outward things so must we acknowledge him to be our King though his earthly crown was but a thorny wreath his Scepter a reed and his royall robe a white coate wherewith (x) Luk. 23 11. Herod in mockage arrayed him they vnclothed themselues to cloath his asse and made their garments his carpets so must we hold nothing too deare for Christ but with (y) Phil. 3.7 S. Paul account the things that are vantage vnto vs losse for Christs sake again they which had no garmeÌ„ts that might be spared to spred in the way cut downe palme branches hereby like the poore widow with her two mites testifying that their hearts did offer vp vnto him a large tribute of homage obedience so must we according to our abilitie tender our dutie allegiance to him who is the Prince of Peace and King of glorie by shewing our affection to the meanest and poorest of his Subiects to conclude whosoeuer will crie Hosanna confessing him to be a King Sauiour he is one of Gods sons but such as will not bow downe vnto him be Rebels and strangers to the kingdome of grace first therefore then we must needs conclude that the high Priests Scribes Pharisies Iewes at this day be Rebels for they will not acknowledge Iesus whom wee worship to be their King and therefore in
sonnes Caine and Habel the first signifying Possession the second Vanitie whereby hee would giue vs to vnderstand that Man the richer hee growes and the higher hee climes the more hee is deuoted to Vanitie and the more he dotes on Follie. The like consideration moued Ioseph to call one of his sonnes Ephraim and the other Manasseh which are by interpretation Increasing and Forgetfulnesse As if hee should haue saide Aboundance of wealth darkens the eye of the soule and breedes an obliuion of God this was true in the Zebulonites and likewise for the most part in such as be most wealthie For who are more negligent in the seruice of God then they and who more carelesse of his holie Word and Sacraments These make Christ stand at their dores knocke For vnles it bee to shew their pompe they will neuer enter into the gates of the house of Prayer These make the Ministers of the Gospell like (q) Iudg. 17 10. Michaes Chaplaine serue their turnes for meate and drinke and preach at their tables endes onely for Countenance These are so cold in deuotion that they thinke it paines to goe vnto Gods Temple to receiue the Sacrament and therefore the Sacrament must come vnto them Belike these Slowe-bellies also are in hope that when they die God will send (r) 2. Reg. 2.11 a fiery Chariot for them as hee did for Eliah and thereby in State conuey them into heauen No no they deceiue themselues it is to be feared that a fire wil come downe from heauen to consume them but no Chariot to carie them from hence Better is the poore man that is wise vnto saluation thē the rich man that is a foole sayes in his hart there is no God For the second the Zebulunites were Sea-borderers and therefore the more wicked for they that dwell by the Sea are most giuen to corrupt māners either because of their wealth which maketh them proude or else because their Scituation ministreth occasion of Robberies and Pyracies and their Trading with other Countreys breedeth a morrall infection among them and for this Plato in his Common-wealth would not haue the Metropolis or chiefe Citie of a Kingdome to bee neare vnto the Sea but distant ten miles as (ſ) Euseb li. 12. de praepa euang c. 27. Eusebius writeth that Hierusalem was scituate Certaine it is that in places most populous Sathan beares the greatest sway as in Cities great townes in them you shall find the Schoolemens nine-fold rancke of Diuels As first Hypocrites or 1 t Pseudothei false-gods that by their fained sanctitie lead captiue simple women and by their dissimulation winne reuerence and adoration among men Secondly 2 u Spiritus mēdaciorum Spirits of lies these are Shop-keepers which vent their wares with lying and couzenage and vse false Measures which are an abhomination vnto the Lord. Thirdly 3 x vasa iniquitatis Vessels of iniquitie these are cheaters deceiuers the disciples of Theutus which diuel as Plato sayes was the first inuētor of Cards Dice Fourthly 4. y vltores scelerum Reuēgers assascinates or cut-throtes that for lesse then Iudas Iscarioth will be hired to stabbe kill a Christiā Fiftly 5. z Praestigiatores Iuglers that is to say deceitfull Scribes and Lawyers that by their legerdemaine can mould the bodie of the Law like a Nose of waxe and alter the case according to the Clients fee. Sixtly 6. a Aereae potestates Airie powers or turbulent rebellious spirits that are neuer cōtented with the present gouernmēt Such are all schismatikes that wilfully cut diuide themselues frō the vnity of the Church Seuenthly 7 b Furiae Furies or kindlers of debate discorde betwixt man and man by carying of forged tales and whisperings in the eare Eightly 8 c Exploratores Intelligēcers that like Ioab will embrace a man kill him and like Iudas kisse a man and betray him And ninthlie 9. d Tentatores Tempters that like shadowes will followe and haunt men prouoking and inciting them to mischiefe and afterwards exclaime and crie out against them as the Diuell himselfe vseth to doe who is therefore called Astaroth the accuser of his brethren All these and many legions more dwell in the Citie that are far remote from the Sea and for this cause our Sauiour saith vnto his spouse in the Canticles (e) Cant. 7.11 Come my welbeloued let vs go forth into the field let vs remaine in the villages Heerein hee declareth that in solitarie places there is the greatest integritie and in the Countrey there is the most plaine dealing and truest honestie Sinne Sinceritie are like the Gowte and the Spider the Spider is for the Cottage the Gowt for the Pallace if the Gowt come into the cottage it will want a pillowe and if the Spider goe into the Pallace her webbe will be swept downe Euen so Sinne is for the Citie and Sinceritie for the Countrey For if Sinceritie should appeare in the Citie the Citizen will make a scoffe at her Coate because it is without seame and therefore out of the fashion and if Sinne should abide in the countrey it would soone bee wearie because the countrey being not so rich as the city cannot afford Sinne so good entertainement as shee desires If then Cities that are farre distant from the Sea bee Caues of vncleane Byrds and holdes of foule spirites what may we iudge of Hauen-townes wherein not only domestike sinnes raigne but also at whose ports or keyes continuallie arriues the Ship-of-Fooles The Moabitish womē were stūbling blocks to the Israelites and they of Tyre Zydon no doubt did in the lād of Zebulun corrupt depraue the true worship of God with their Idolatrie And so it is in all Nations by entercourse Confederacie one learnes the manners of another Hence it is that Englishmen by conuersing with Forreiners are become like the Beast called Camelopardalis which in one part resembleth the Camel and in an other the Panther For they sometimes fashion themselues according to the Dutch Sometimes they imitate the Italian and Spanyarde And sometimes they follow the French not onely in Apparell but also in manners in borrowing Sobrietie from the Dutch-man Sinceritie from the Italian and constancie from the French-man And so did the Zebulunites with their borderers by which Imitation the Light of true Knowledge concerning God was in the time of CHRIST vtterly extinguisht and put out and all the people as the Prophet saith sate in darknesse Hauing discouered and layed open the sinnes and wickednes of Zebulun Let vs now take a surueye of Gods Mercie In this Land of Darknes was CHRIST by the Angell Gabriel promised to the Virgine Marie there hee was conceiued and there brought vp Secondly vpon Tabor a Mountaine in this Countrey hee was Transfigured in glorious manner And thirdly amongst the tribes of Zebulun and Nepthalim which were become Gentiles and so odious in
which at this day doe groane vnder the seruile yoke of Mahometanes and Infidels is it not Want of praier and deuotion they haue forgotten God and neuer truly and feruently call vpon him who is the surest refuge but relie vpon their owne policie power which alas are but reedes shakeÌ„ with euery blast of wind what is the cause that in many kingdomes Famine plaies the Tyrant and like one of Pharaohs Leane kine eateth vp the people as if they were bread is it not Negligence in the seruice of God would the people but call vpon him for reliefe rather then they should perish hee would satisfie them with Quailes and Manna from heauen or else commaund the Rauens to feed them as hee did to the Prophet Eliah what is the cause that in this Realme the Pestilence hath deuoured so many both in the citie and the countrie it is because wee sleepe securely vpon Sathans lap as Sampson did vpon Delilahs neuer lifting vp our eies to heauen to entreate almightie God to commaund the destroyer to stay his hand and cease from slaughter would we but call vpon God when we are afflicted either with the Pestilence Famine or the Sword saying as Iacob did in the behalfe of his sonne Dan O Lord I haue waited for thy saluation there is no doubt but that God would looke vpon vs with the Eye of pitie compassion (y) Ionah 4.2 for he is a gracious God and mercifull slow to anger and of great kindnesse and repâ—rteth of the euill Secondly as prayer is the best remedie in Temporall afflictions so likewise in spirituall God permittes Sathan for triall sake to tempt vs that our faith like gold may be tried in the fire it was (z) Iob. 1.12 Iobs case but the diuel he assaults vs like a Roring Lion seeking to destroy vs to withstand his violence our safest course is prayer for our Sauiour teacheth vs that the Diuell is not onely repulst but also cast out by Prayer as (a) Iug. 7.22 Gideon onely with the sound of Trumpets and the Breaking of Pitchers put the Midianites to flight eueÌ„ so the voice of him that praieth deuoutely and the groaning of a broken contrite heart resisteth driueth back and vanquisheth the whole armie of darkenesse as the children of Dan so euery one of vs is allured by Sathan to forsake God and commit spirituall fornication with one Idol or other the couetous person boweth downe to Mammon the enuious man to Abaddon the proude in heart to Lucifer the Fleshworme to Belial the heretick to Sathanas the intelligencer and talebearer to Asteroth euery sinner hath one familiar Spirit of darknesse or other who with sweete entisements and allurements leadeth him like an Oxe to the slaughter-house and then deliuereth him vp to these two bloody Butchers Despaire and Death for when we haue committed sinne Chryso hom 2. in Ps 50. the Diuell standeth by saith S. Chrysostome whetting his sword of desperation and saying vnto euery one of vs Thou hast liued wickedly all thy youth and thy former dayes hast thou mispent thou hast haunted playes and spectacles with thy companions and followed after loose and lasciuious women thou hast taken other mens goods from them wrongfully thou hast bin couetous dissolute effeminate thou hast forsworne thy selfe thou hâ—st blasphemed and committed many other haynous and wicked crimes and therefore what hope canst thou haue of saluationâ— truly none at all thou art a meere castaway canst not now goe backe therefore my counsaile is that now thou vse the pleasures and commodities of this world and passe ouer thy time in mirth of heart without any cogitation of repentance or hope of Gods mercie This is the Diuels oration perswading Securitie and Desperation now what greater affliction can light vpoÌ„ the soule theÌ„ this to be enthralled by Sathan and to bee made the bondslaue of Despaire to free our captiuated Soules of these deadly fetters we must doe as the Doues in Persia doe who when they are pursued by the Serpent vse to flie to a certaine Tree called Pedixion and there safely shroud themselues because no venemous creature dare approach or come neare vnto it so must we doe when the Olde Serpent huntes vs to destroy vs with the poisnous sting of Despaire let vs speedily betake our selues to the Tree of Life the Crosse of Christ and holding fast by it implore Gods mercy and begge pardon for Christs sake saying as Iacob did O Lord I haue waited for thy saluation THE EIGHTH SERMON OF GAD GENES 49.19 Gad an Hoste of men shall ouercome him but hee shall ouercome at the last AFter the birth of Reuben Simeon Leui Iudah Leah left bearing wherefore she seeing that her sister Rahel had giuen her haÌ„d-maid Bilha to Iacob (a) Gen. 30.9 who had borne him two sonnes Dan and Napthali she I say in like maner tooke Zilpah her maide and gaue her Iacob to wife thus Zilpah bare Iacob a sonne (b) Gen. 30.11 theÌ„ said Leah A companie coÌ„meth she called his name Gad which signifieth an Armie or Troupe of men In this historie of Gads natiuitie the imposition of his name wee may discouer two infirmities in Leah The first is sinnes imitation the second is Enuiâ—s correspondencie First shee imitates her sister in euill in that shee giues her haÌ„d-maid to her husband for Polygamie is in it selfe a sinne because it is coÌ„trarie to the first institution of Marriage Howsoeuer it was dispensed withall in the Patriarchs (c) Aug. contra Faust lib. 22. cap. 18. who entertained many wiues not for lust but for propagation as S. Augustine saith As it is an euill thing to giue euill example as Rahel did to Leah for such persons saith Gregorie deserue so many seuerall torments in Hell as they haue left euill examples to posteritie vpon earth So likewise it is a great fault in anie man to make an euill example his patterne and yet such is the corruption of our nature that generally we are all in this like Leah more prone to followe Sathan in the foote-steppes of sinne then GOD in the pathway of Righteousnes CHRIST is the Patterne of the Elect hee is the (d) Apoc. 14.1 Lambe vpon mount Zion whome the virgins follow whither soeuer he goeth (e) 1. Pet. 2.21 and hee suffered for as saith S. Peter Leauing vs an example that we should follow his steppes His steps bee Meekenesse Humilitie Mercie and Charitie But alas fewe there be that follow them but millions of men run after Sathan which is the President of Reprobates saying vnto him as the young man saide vnto Christ Maister we will follow thee whither-soeuer thou goest The diuel according to his qualities hath certaine names giuen vnto him by the Spirit of God and according to his seuerall names he hath his seuerall followers which imitate him most exactly As he is Astaroth which is by interpretation a CaluÌ„niator or an accuser he is