and honor to all states and conditions it aduanceth the credit and esteeme of poore men and to honorable men by birth and calling it is like a diamond in a ring making them that were gold before to become the most fine gold yea Michtam the purest gold of Ophir The first argument is drawne from the God of the righteous Reason 1 and according to the triplicitie of the persons it is threefold God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ by nature is euery iust mans father by grace and adoption so in this respect our pedegree is from heauen and therefore very honorable Christ teacheth all true Christians Math. 6.9 to pray thus Our Father which art in heauen All beleeuers haue this prerogatiue to be called the sonnes of God which are not borne of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Ioh. 1.12 Christ saith Ioh 20.17 I go to my Father and your Father We haue the Spirit of adoption crying Abba Father Rom. 8.15 We are predestinated to the adoption of children Ephes 1.5 God is the father of our spirits Heb. 12.9 He is our heauenly Father able and willing to giue vs all things in Christs name Luke 11.13 We are commanded so to doe and haue a promise to be heard Ioh. 16.23 1. Ioh. 5.14 The second argument is drawne from Christ our elder brother Reason 2 who maketh all his yonger brethren honorable as the yongest brethren in Germanie for the most part enioy the titles of the elder the Electorships excepted and the yonger brethren with vs beare the same coate-armour some little difference by the rules of Heraldry excepted in regard of their senioritie and minoritie Christ maketh vs Kings and Priests to his Father Reuel 1.6 The sanctifier and the sanctified are all of one for which cause he is not ashamed to call vs Brethren Heb. 2.11 Who is the first borne amongst many brethren Rom. 8.29 For the further clearing of this point let vs first see what Christ is in himselfe Secondly what he is to vs. And thirdly what he hath done to make vs honorable 1. Christ in regard of his owne naure is Wonderfull Counseller the mightie God the Father of eternitie Isay 9.6 though at the time of his manifestation he saith Psal 2.7 This day haue I begotten thee yet after an vnspeakable manner he was begotten from eternitie Pro. 8.22 Ganin He hath possessed me in the beginning of his dayes before his workes of olde In the beginning was the Word and this Word was with God and that Word was God Ioh. 1.1 2. which the Greeke Poet Nonnus Iohns expositor renders thus en arreto logos arche In the beginning which by words cannot be expressed therefore without robbery he was the Fathers equall Philip. 2.6 yea his fellow Zach. 13.7 God euer all to be blessed for euer Rom. 9.5 Secondly in regard of his humane nature he is most pure holy the immaculate Lambe of God 1. Pet. 1.19 conceiued in the wombe of the virgin Marie by the holy Ghost Luke 1.35 he fulfilled the whole law the will of his Father to the vtmost Psal 40.7 8. he became obedient to the death of the crosse Phil. 2.18 so he became the Lord our righteousnesse Ier. 23.6 our wisedome righteousnesse redemption sanctification 1. Cor. 1.30 This Word I say became flesh and Eskenosen dwelt in our nature as in a tabernacle Ioh. 1.14 Great is the mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit seene of Angels preached to the Gentiles beleeued on in the world and receiued vp into glorie 1. Tim. 3.16 At his Name euery knee in heauen and earth and vnder the earth doth bow Phil. 2.10 He is set at Gods right hand in heauenly places farre aboue all principalities and powers and might dominion and euery name that is named not onely in this world but that which is to come Ephes 1.20 21. Now secondly let vs consider what he is to the Church in regard of his offices God hath put all things vnder his feete and gaue him to be head ouer all things to the Church which is his bodie the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all Ep. 1.22.23 He is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first borne from the dead that in all things he might haue the preheminence Coloss 1.18 Sit on my right hand saith the Father to him Psal 110.1 till I make thine enemies thy footstoole And so as King and Prophet he sendeth the rod of his power out of Sion whereby he mildly ruleth the willing people of good deuotions Psal 110.2 3. And as with a mace of iron breaketh the rebels in peeces as potters vessels Psal 2.9 And in the 4. verse of the CX psalme by an oath he is made a Priest for euer after the order of Melchizedek Heb. 7.1 2. Christ is the Priest of our profession more excellent then Moses he built the house Moses was but a seruant of the house Heb. 3.1 2 3. The Legall priests were sinfull offered sacrifices for themselues and died he holy and pure and blamelesse liueth for euer Heb. 7.23 24 26 27. There many sacrifices could not take away sinnes but Christs one oblation did Heb. 9.13 24 26. once for all Heb. 10.10 As our Priest also he appeareth for vs in heauen Heb. 9.24 and maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.34 Thirdly in the execution of these offices what hath he done for vs first as our Prophet he teacheth vs his Fathers will and giues vs holy Sacraments Peter Acts 3.22 telleth the Iewes out of Deut. 18.15 A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise vnto you out of your brethren like vnto me him shall you heare in all things God lastly spake to vs by his Son Heb. 1.2 who taught Noah and all the other Prophets 1. Pet. 3.19 of whom the Father saith This is my beloued Sonne heare him Math. 17.5 Secondly this righteous King of Sion Zach. 9.9 doth sit as King on mount Sion psal 2.6 Hee our King destroyed all our enemies sinne Rom. 8.3 the law Gal. 4.5 the diuell Heb. 2.15 Col. 2.15 death Hos 13.14 1. Cor. 15.53 so deliuereth vs from the hands of all our enemies Luk. 1.71 Thus he shall beate downe all our enemies 1. Cor. 15.25 26 27. destroying the last enemie Death shall giue vp the kingdome to God the Father bring all his subiects to him shall cease to reigne then as Mediator but shall retaine the glorie of the kingdome for euer as the Angell telleth Marie Of his kingdome shall be none end Luke 1.33 As our Priest he died for our sinnes and rose againe for our iustification Rom. 4.25 by his blood he hath redeemed vs Eph. 1.7 Col. 1.14.20 his blood hath washed vs from all our sinnes Reu. 1.5 Thus Christ becomes to vs our redeeming kinsman Iob 19.25 and our righteousnesse 1. Cor. 1.30 especially when he performes to vs the second part of his
priesthood by being our Intercessor and Aduocate stil making intercession for vs at the right hand of his Father Rom. 8.34 and appearing for vs in heauen Heb. 9.24 Thus in the dayes of his flesh he offered vp prayers for vs Heb. 5.7 Ioh. 17.9 From his hand much incense mixed with the prayers of the Saints is offered to God Reuel 8.3 He therefore that hath this Christ hath life 1. Ioh 5.12 On him that beleeueth not his wrath abideth Ioh. 3.36 Our life is with God in Christ when Christ our glorie shall appeare then shall we appeare with him in glorie Col. 3.3 4. By him we are heires of heauen Rom. 8.17 and are made meet to be inheriters with the Saints in glorie Col. 1.12 so that we may say with the Church in the Canticles 5. chap. 16. verse This is my beloued and this is my friend O ye daughters of Ierusalem that hath redeemed vs vnto God by his bloud out of euery kingdome tongue people and nation and hath made vs Kings and Priests to our God and we shall reigne on the earth Reuel 5.9 10. Come we now to the third argument Reason 3 drawne from the holy Ghost sanctifying vs and adorning vs with all sauing graces True noble men haue alwayes true noble spirits by which they are discerned from the base spirited vulgars so the holy people of God haue Gods Spirit giuen to them Luk. 11.13 Because they are children God sendeth his Spirit to them Galat. 4.6 the same Spirit that raised Christ from death Rom. 8.2 If any one hath not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8.9 Hence it is that Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith Ephes 3.17 and after our effectuall calling Christ is in vs except we be reprobates 2. Cor. 13.5 The works and effects of the holy Ghost in vs are foure This holy Spirit first sanctifieth and regenerateth vs being borne againe of water and of the Spirit Ioh. 5.7 and borne from aboue The word of truth Iam. 1.18 and the immortall seed of the word is the instrument hereof 1. Pet. 1.23 by which we are made cleane Ioh. 15.3 The Lord doth wash away the filth of the daughters of Ierusalem by the spirit of iudgement and by the spirit of burning Isay 4.4 by afflictions opening the eare Iob 33.16 and by fire purging the sonnes of Leui Mal. 3.3 This free Spirit affranchiseth them and sets them at libertie Psalme 51.12 from the bondage of sinne 2. Cor. 3.17 By this Spirit they crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts in this Spirit they liue and in this Spirit they walke Gal. 5.24 25. Secondly this Spirit beareth witnesse to our spirits that we are the sonnes of God Rom. 8.16 The Lord doth seale vs and giue vs the earnest of this Spirit 2. Cor. 1.22 by this Spirit of promise the earnest of our inheritance he sealeth vs till we fully enioy the same Ephes 1.13 14. and by this Spirit that dwelleth in vs we know that God abideth in vs 1. Ioh. 3.24 Thirdly the elect after their calling can boldly go to the throne of grace there finding grace and obtaining mercie in the time of need Heb. 4.16 yea by faith in Christ haue boldnesse and accesse with confidence Ephes 3.12 Gods children receiuing the Spirit of Adoption crie Abba Father Rom. 8.15 For this end God sendeth them the Spirit of his Sonne that they may call God Father Galat 4.6 Gods Spirit helping our infirmities teaching vs to pray Rom. 8.26 The Lord powres on his Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication prayers for the forgiuenesse of sinne Zac 12.10 Lastly this Spirit comforteth his in all distresses when our spirits faile God doth quicken vs by his good Spirit Psal 143.7 He will not haue our spirits faile before him Isay 57.16 Therefore Gods Spirit is called the Comforter Ioh. 14.16 and 15.26 and 16.7 The fourth reason is drawne from two honorable titles which are bestowed on the faithfull Reason 4 namely 1. Gods Church 2. Christs Spouse These holy men and women are called Mount Sion the Citie of the liuing God Heb 12.22 Segullah Gods choise treasure Exod. 19.5 A peculiar people Tit. 2.14 The visible congregations for the elects sake are called the assembly of Saints 1. Cor. 14.33 And God is called the King of Saints Reu. 15.3 These tabernacles are beautifull Psal 84.1 How goodly are thy tents O Iacob and thy tabernacles O Israel Num. 24.5 The Church is faire as the Moone cleare as the Sun terrible as an armie with banners Cant. 6.9 12. My heart did set me on the chariots of my noble people Ammi nadis of whom I thinke nobly people of good deuotions and noble resolutions Psalme 110.3 They are renewed in the spirit of their minds and haue put on the new man which is created in knowledge holinesse and righteousnes Ephes 4.23 24. Col. 3.10 The second honorable title is that the Church is called the Spouse of Christ At the Kings hand standeth the Queene in a garment of Ophir Psal 45.9 She is all glorious within verse 13. The bridegroom Christ in the fourth of the Canticles displayeth at large the honour and beautie of the Church and in Cant. 6.8 9. affirmeth that all the Queenes concubines and damosels did praise her being the only vndefiled of her mother Salomons mother sitteth at his right hand 1. King 2.19 so doth Christs Church being clothed with the Sunne of righteousnesse the light of the Moone at her feete and a crowne of twelue starres at her head Reuelat. 12.1 Mal. 4.2 In this world Christ calleth her Chephsibah My delight is in her Isay 62.4 Here she is Ladie Sarah with her bond-woman Hagar attending on her Gal. 4.22 Gen. 2.19 How honorable shall she be in heauen when she shall be presented to God without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5.27 The fift argument is thus framed Noble-men haue vsually great inheritances Reason 5 large possessions rich offices or liue on the bountie of their noble friends and allies The faithfull in this respect sing with Dauid The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup thou shalt maintaine my lot the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places yea I haue a goodly heritage Psal 16.5 6. By Christ we are interested in an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled that fadeth not away but is reserued for vs in heauen 1. Pet. 1.4 This better then the blessings of Iudahs wine Asers fatnesse or Ephraims dewes Gen. 49. â— â—0 25. Whether things present or things to come all are ours in Christ 1. Cor. 3.22 23. by him we are ioynt heires Rom 17. by him we attaine to an inheritance with the Saints in life Coloss 1.2 The sixt reason prouing the exccellent state of Gods children Reason 6 is drawn from the honorable guard and retinue waiting on them First God himselfe keepeth his Israel and neither slumbreth nor slee peth Psal 121.4 The Name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous runneth
sell it for euer but till the yeare of Iubile Deut. 15.7 8. Leu. 25.23 24. od was their Lord Paramount Thirdly some interprete it thus Be not pharisaically and hypocritically righteous before men when God knoweth your hearts that they are abhominable Luke 16.15 But I think it is taken for superstitious righteousnesse a sinne on the right hand when men go beyond the commandement of God keeping mens traditions Mat. 15.3 Mar. 7.3 Col. 2.22.23 To Gods law nothing must be added nor taken away Deut. 4.2 That we may be truly righteous let vs consider these motiues First if we be holy and righteous we are like our heauenly Father 1. Pet. 1.16 We are secondly like vnto Christ Acts 4.27 Acts 3.4 he was iust and holy Thirdly if we be holy the Spirit of glorie and God resteth on vs 1. Pet. 4.16 his sanctifying Spirit reigneth in vs Rom. 8.9 Fourthly if we be holy and iust we are the redeemed of the Lord Luk. 1.75 Gal. 1.4 Fiftly if not holy not enter into Gods kingdome Heb. 12.14 Reuel 21.27 Sixthly if holy and righteous we shall be blessed in our outward estate The wicked are ouerthrowne are not but the house of the righteous shall stand Prou. 12.7 The righteous may fall seuen times a day and be raised vp againe but the wicked fall into mischiefe Prou. 24.16 When the righteous fall the Lord putteth vnder his hand psal 37.24 as the standers by are wont to do to saue a great mans sonne from a fall in wrestling Outward things happen alike to him that sweareth Obiect and to him that feareth an oath Eccles 9.12 Go thou into Gods sanctuarie Answ and thou shalt see how the wicked in the best of their prosperitie stand in slippery places and passe away as a dreame psal 73.18.20 They flourish as a greene bay tree and are soone cut downe Marke the end of the iust and vniust psal 37.35 37 38. The wicked flourishing as grasse are soone cut downe psal 92.7 they iumpe fearfully into the graue Iob 21.13 Lastly consider that the righteous shall shine as the Sunne in the kingdome of their Father Mat. 13.43 Secondly consider we the meanes of stirring vs vp to godlinesse First looke on the holinesse and righteousnesse of God which made the Angels to sing Holy holy holy is the Lord Isay 6.3 the earth is full of his glorie Blessed be the glorie of the Lord from his place Ezek. 3.12 He hath no pleasure in wickednes he hateth all the workers of iniquitie psal 5.4 5. His eyes are purer then to behold iniquitie without displeasure Hab. 1.13 Secondly obserue the puritie and perfection of Gods law it is perfect and giueth light to the simple psal 19.7 it is a lampe to our feete and a light to our paths psal 119.105 Ye are cleane saith Christ Ioh. 15.3 by my word Thirdly propound to thy selfe the example of good men Heb. 11. from verse 2. to the end Take my brethren the Prophets for examples Behold the patience of Iob Iam. 5.10.11 Look on Dauids zeale psal 132.12 Let women looke on old holy Matrons who trusted in God looke on Sarah calling her Husband Lord whose daughters ye are 1. Pet. 3.5 6. Thirdly remoue the impediments that cleaue to thy corrupt nature and presse thee downe Heb. 12.1 First suspect that traitor in thine owne bosom The heart of man is deceitfull aboue measure and desperatly wicked Ier. 17.10 Beware of an euill heart of vnbeliefe lest your heart be hardned by the deceitfulnesse of sinne Heb. 3.13 Secondly beware of Satans temptations being subtil ginnes and craftie deuices 2. Cor. 2.11 and in Ephes 6.11 cunning tricks and the fiery darts of the wicked one Ephes 6.16 which are sudden iniections to blasphemie or desperation In the second place the first outward impediment is the world wholy lying in sinne 1. Ioh. 5.19 In the world we may find the lusts of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life 1. Ioh. 2.16 The second outward let is the prosperitie of the wicked and the often afflictions of Gods children This trouble Iob 21.7 offended Dauid Psal 73.2 3. Ier. 12.1 2. Hab. 1.12 13. Hence the Atheist collecteth that it is in vayne to serue God seeing proud men and contemners of God advanced against which temptation the godly conferre together and are strengthned by God A booke is written of them that feare him and feare him not c. Mal. 3.15.16.17 The wicked shall be burnt as in an Ouen when the Sunne of Righteounesse shall arise on the godly Mal. 41.2 Fourthly what be the signes that we are truely righteous first in our selues the Spirit of Adoption calling God Father Rom. 8.15.16 His spirit certifiyng our spirits that we are his children Secondly the fruits of the Spirit loue ioy peace c. Golat. 5.22 the practise of true pietie and charitie whereby we make our vocation and election sure 2. Pet. 1.10 Election is first in natures order but Gos vocatiō is first knowne to vs. Marke lastly these two especiall tokens of true sinceritie the first loue to good men and such as excell in vertue Psal 16.2 By which we knowe that wee are translated from death to life 1. Ioh. 3.14 The second is a delight in Gods ordinances Psal 19.10 the word of God is sweeter then honie better then gold Isa 58.13.14 the Sabboth is the good mans delight Gods precepts are not greiuous to him 1. Ioh. 5.3 Lastly Vse 3 heere is an vse of consolation to the despised children of God they are glorious in Gods eyes Esa 49.5 they are his cheife treasure Exod. 19.5 a peculiar people honourable Kings and preists that shall raign with Christ for euer Reu. 5.10 This made Moses to despise Aegipts glorie and riches esteeming the reproach of Christ much better Heb. 11.25.26 hauing respect to the recompence of reward This crowne of righteousnes comforted Paul 2. Tim. 5.7.8 You haue heard before in the opening of the sence that by the figure meiosis more was meant then spoken That there is no excellencie to the vnrighteous and vnregenerate Doctr. 2 so continuing God may say to them as Iacob to Reuben Gen. 49.4 Thou shalt not be excellent and as it was spoken in another sence 1. Sam. 4.21 Ichabod there is no glorie to them that continue in the basenesse of vnregenerate nature which cometh short of the glorie of God that glorious Image that Adam lost Rom 3.23 Gen. 1.26 27. These seeke not the recouerie of their lost estate for glorie honour and true immortalitie Rom. 2.7 They may be for their race as noble as Cain but for sinne cursed out of Gods presence carry a marke of basenesse seene to God Gen. 4.12.19 20. God doth thrash away all the vngodly of the earth like drosse Psal 119.119 They are called witches children the seed of the adulterer and whore Isay 57.3 Iohn calls them a generation of vipers Mat. 3.7 and Christ Mat. 23.33 a generation of serpents for whom Hell is
A BRIEFE TREATISE DECLARING THE TRVE NOBLE-MAN AND The base Worldling 1. SAM 2.30 They that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be despised By Walter Sweeper Minister of Strowd LONDON Printed by WILLIAM IONES dwelling in Red-crosse sstreete 1622. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE WILLIAM EARLE OF PEMBROCK and Philip Earle of Mountgomerie Grace mercie and peace from God the Father through Christ * ⎠* MY good Lords I had intended to haue presented to your honorable Ladie-mother now at rest with God the first fruits of my labours in this kind containing a iust defence of Gods truth and the credit of Dorts Synod against some of Arminius his schollers here at home who will not be reclaimed by the graue sentence of that late Councell nor affrighted with the strange death of their maister but as Arrius his followers after his fearfull death did labour to scatter his errors farre and neare so do these with vs. But your Honours may obiect to me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To which I answer that partly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and partly the importunitie of some enemies did draw me forth both by preaching and printing to assay to stop the mouthes of gainsayers Now I humbly offer to your Lordships view the true Chhristian Noble-man who by the Spirit of Adoption calleth God Abba Father Rom. 8.15 and which Iob stiles Christ Iob 19.25 Goeli My redeeming kinsman and with Isay Isa 5.1 Dodi My neere kinsman Your Honours may best challenge this little Treatise as your owne right because that I gained the greatest part of my litle learning through my acquaintance with your honorable fathers house and family where you had a most religious and truly noble breeding and education by the zealous care of your pious and truly religious father and Ladie Bathshebah neglected not to teach her yong Lemuels humane and diuine knowledge Prou. 31.1 2. Your truly noble fathers house for state and gouernment somewhat resembled Salomons Court 2. Chron. 9.4 where Shebaes Queene obserued the meate of his table the sitting of his seruants and the attendance of his ministers And your famous Wilton house like a litle Vniuersitie was a more excellent nurcerie for learning and pietie then euer it was in former times when King Edgars daughter Editha had her residence and regencie there so that Popish S.F.E. had no need to seek the restoring of it to its former vses Wilton house had in it that godly learned Phisitian and skilfull Mathematician M. Doctor Moffet my most worthy and kind friend it had in it great Hugh Sanford learned in all arts sciences knowledge humane and diuine vsque ad miraculum whom I euer obserued as Horace did his Maerenas euer before him singultim pauca locutus from whom I neuer departed without some profit To passe ouer Gerard the Herballist M. Massinger and other Gentlemen schollers Neuer noble house had successiuely deeper Diuines namely Bishop Babington B. Parry M. Connā M. Walford M. Parker M. Bigs In this noble House Babingtons rules of pietie and honestie swayed swearing was banished yea the house-keepers and inferour seruants well knew and practised the grounds of Religion as Ierome commendeth the ploughmen of Palestina for their Halleluiahs These were the Trophees of your fathers house he honoured God and God honoured him and you his seed enioy the blessing whereas the seed of the wicked lo ijqqare le holam shall not be famous for euer Isa 14.20 The seed of the righteous shall be great or strong in the earth Dor iesharim ieuorach the generation of the vpright shall be blessed Psal 112.1 2. Wisedome with an inheritance is good saith Salomon Eccles 7.12 God hath blessed your Honours with a goodly heritage Psal 16.6 The price of wisedome is in your hands Oh let your hearts be to it Prou. 17.16 To whom much is giuen of them much is required Luk. 12.48 You cannot say with the Poet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nor with Vlysses in Homer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Serue the Lord with ioy of heart for the aboundance that hee hath giuen you Deut. 28.47 Let your houses not be like Eugenius Tertius Bernards scholler his house recipiant faciant bouos Oh let the vnfained faith as Paul speakes to Timothy 2. Tim. 1.5 that dwelt in your good father dwell in you The Lord blesse your Honours and increase in you all the graces of his holy Spirit for his Christs sake in whom I rest Your Lordships most humble seruant Walter Sweeper THE TRVE NOBLE-MAN The Text Prou. 12.16 The Righteous is more excellent then his neighbour but the way of the wicked seduceth them THE three bookes of Solomon are by some compared to the three parts of the Temple the Prouerbes to the large Court made for the assembly of all the people wherein Christ walked Ioh. 10.23 Ecclesiastes to the holy place where the Priests serued the Lord Luk. 1.9 and the Canticles to the most holy place whereinto the High priest onely went once a yeare Leuit. 16.12 Though this b granted yet the authority and credit of this booke is no whit disparaged but may well answer the beautifull gate of the Temple Acts 3.2 being giuen by diuine inspiration as all other Scriptures 2. Tim. 3.16 And Solomon wrote not this booke by any priuate motion but as he was moued by the Spirit of God 2. Pet. 1.19 20 21. And the title Mishle in the Hebrew much commen deth to vs the excellencie of this booke coming of Mashal to rule excell or speake graue sentences or dark parables Ezek 20.49 Memashal Meshalim hu Doth he not speake parables and it is as much as Kurieuein princely to rule Rom. 6.4 or authentein to exercise authenticke authoritie 1. Tim. 2.12 because these sentences both in regard of their diuine matter and forme do far excell other writings of this kind The Ethicks O Economickes and Politickes of all Heathen Philosophers must giue place to these A great part of these Prouerbes were copied out by Hezekiahs seruants Prou. 25.1 A good patterne for religious Courtiers Now whereas Solomon wrote 3000 parables and 1005 songs 1. King 4.32 God in his gracious prouidence hath reserued to the vse and edification of his Church onely these few holy Prouerbs with Ecclesiastes and the Canticles suffering the other bookes of humane wisedome whereof we reade 1. King 2.41 to perish and not willing to clog the Church with many bookes And therefore many things done by Christ are omitted Ioh. 20.30 because otherwise the world would not containe the bookes that should be written Ioh. 21.25 And as we reade Eccles 12.12 There is no end of writing bookes and much reading is a wearinesse to the flesh If you will know the summe and scope of this booke it is to teach man the holy knowledge of God diuine dutie and morall precepts of ciuilitie Prou. 1.1 2 3 4. For pietie doth not ouerthrow the duties of ciuilitie