haue more busied the Magistracie to set foorth good orders both for the relieuing of the one and punishmeÌ„t of the other then at this day are executed For doe they not loyter in euery corner of your streetes as though there were neither lawes nor officers to punish them or as though there were more feare to displease them then God But time biddeth me tell you that by this time there bee few that heare me whose hearts bee not conuinced And therefore I haste to the vse we are to make of this doctrine which is three-fold Vse 1 It bewraieth a popish slaunder that chargeth the Church of England with preaching libertie to sin because we preach iustification by faith in Christ only By this that hath been spoken in the discouerie of sin euery one that hath his eyes about him and will see may see that wee preach not faith alone namely that is alone though faith only For wee affirme that no Libertine Protestant or dissolute professor of the Gospell that liueth in any knowne sinne hath fellowship with Christ Vse 2 The second vse is to teach those that are entred into the bodie of Christs Church and are called by that excellent and glorious name of Christians to put on sanctification and to wash their hearts from wickednesse taking the counsell of the holy Ghost If any be in Christ let him be a new creature 2. Cor. 5 17. Psal 16 6 And let euery one that calleth vpon the name of the Lord depart from iniquitie Either leaue your sinnes or leaue calling of God Father Leaue dissimulation and hypocrisie or leaue carrying of Bibles running to preachings and talking of Sermons Leaue off saying Our Father which art in heauen vnlesse you will liue as his children in earth For if yee call him Father which without respect of persons 1. Pet. 1 17 iudgeth according to euerie mans worke passe the time of your dwelling here in feare I humbly therefore beseech you in the feare of God looke into the vncleane corners of your hearts and watch ouer your soules that a false heart and a wicked heart be not shrouded vnder a ciuill behauiour For the Lord will iudge vs 1. Sam. 16.7 according to that which is in our hearts Iere. 17.10 The Lord beholdeth well enough the rottennesse of these golden apples of Sodome and in due time will cause them to fall to their euerlasting shame and confusions Let Recusants Church-papists and politike Protestants leaue off their Iudas-like countenances habits and gestures in their many Ceremonies and complements of hypocrisie like Balam with his seuen Altars and his seuen Rammes for God seeth for all that much treacherie against King and Countrie lurking in their hearts because most of the are better bred and better read in Machianell then in the Bible They are outwardly men in print yet for all that to couetousnesse sacriledge prophanaâ—ion of the Sabbath swearing vainly and swearing falsely to pride and contention yea drunkennesse and whoring to oppresse the true honest Protestants to hoarding vp of mony corne the necessariest things of the land they are like Aman sicke for Thamar though it cost them their liues These be varnished Protestantâ— to sanctitie like Iudas to Christ They plot against the Common-wealth and parishes where they dwell as Ahab did against Naboth Oh my soule keep thee from the way of these men Search trie and cleanse thy waies and purge thy heart from such wickednes And this for the first part I should speake of the Argument which is the second part but the time is spent Therfore let vs pray that God would blesse that which time hath taught Thou God of heauen and earth giue this that hath been spoken thy blessing that it may be a sauour of life vnto life to euery one of vs if it be thy good will and with the blood of our Lord Iesus cleanse vs and take vs out of this our vncleannesse and bring vs to thy kingdome of holinesse where thine honour dwelleth and that for Iesus Christ his sake to whom with thee O blessed Father and the eternall Spirit be all honour glorie power dominion might and Maiestie both now and from hence-forth for euer Amen Amen This second part was not vttered for lacke of time yet thought fit by the Author to be annexed in the Print NOw followeth the second part of the Text of Iudah preseruation in this life and of his saluation in the life to come in these words That thou mayest bee saued or mayest be helped or mayest be kept c. Which in effect is as much as if he should haue said If you will obey the voyce of the Lord and wash your hearts from wickedness then the Lord will defend you and preserue you aliue in this life and will watch ouer you with a reuenging hand to anoy and destroy all those that rise against you in this world and will giue you euerlasting life and saluation in the life to come This being the meaning of the words let vs not here dreame of saluation by workes For all whatsoeuer we can doe cannot deserue any thing at Gods hands because all our workes are imperfect Isa 64.6 and it must be perfect obedience that meriteth any thing in this life much more that deserueth the immeasurable waight of glory Doct. 1 But the doctrine for instruction if you please may be this That reformation of manners and sanctification of life maketh vs fit and capable though not worthie of the mercies of God I say although sanctification maketh vs not worthie of the mercies of God yet it maketh vs capable both of sauing grace and of all the mercies and benefits of God whatsoeuer For we are not fit to receiue mercy from God Iob 11.14.15.16 till we haue repented This is one with the Prophets counsell to Naaman Wash and bee cleane So here cleanse your hearts from wickednesse and be saued If our sinnes doe separate Gods mercies from vs then sanctification and holinesse maketh vs fit and capable of the mercies of God both for this and a better life Isa 59.2 Ier. 5.25 But the first is true therefore the second If repentance keepeth vs from perishing and destruction then holinesse maketh vs at least capable of Gods mercy but the proposition the holy Ghost giueth for doctrine Luk. 13.3 For vnlesse you repent yee shall all likewise perish If without sanctification and regeneration we cannot see the kingdome of God then without sanctification wee are not nor cannot bee capable of the mercies of God But the former Christ maketh good Ioh. 3.3 Therfore c. I beseech you deepely consider this and remember it wel that which no money nor gold can doe repentance and sanctitie may do As the ground is for soâ—d when it is ploughed so a heart is for the Lord when it is cleansed Act. 11.28 For sanctity and holinesse is the way to eternall life trouble much more to all other mercies
THE LAVER OF THE HEART OR BATH OF SANCTIFICATION Preached at Pauls Crosse the first of September last 1615. By GABRIEL PRICE Minister and Preacher of Gods Word ISAY 1.16 Wash you make you cleane take away the euill of your workes from before mine eyes cease to doe euill learne to doe well c. AT LONDON Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man 1616. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE HIS VErie good Lord and Patron ROBERT Lord RICH Baron of Leez GABRIEL PRICE wisheth all grace peace and ioy in beleeuing with increase of Honor in this life and eternall happinesse in the life to come I Haue presumed which I haue loÌ„g purposed to offer vnto your Honor some poore token of that dutie which bindeth mee vnto your Lordship while life lasteth hauing gotten some fit occasioÌ„ to expresse my loue I thought not to pretermit the same but therin to shew my minde and poore abilitie wherein I may doe your Honor any seruice Therefore after I had yeelded to publish this Sermon I remembred the blessed holie Euangelist Saint Luke penning and publishing the heauenly storie and blessed Gospel of Iesus Christ did dedicate the same to one Theophilus a noble man of singular credit and authoritie which moued me to make choice of your Honour to become a Patron refuge vnto my poore and simple meditations in a Sermon preached at Paules Crosse as the title sheweth and is a Treatise tending to sanctification which according to the time I haue amongst others brought my present and as I hope contrarie to Mithridates sword is more pretious and richer within then it is without and which with the New yeere as a New-yeeres gift I humbly present vnto your Lordship that vnder the shadow of your Honorable acceptance it may finde some rest and reliefe To whom being diligently read and often meditated vpon I doubt not but it will be fruitfull to inflame a zeale of Gods glorie and furtherance of his religion Wherefore my humble desire is your Honour would vouchsafe the patronage hereof then I doubt not but more learned then my selfe will accept my good will and good men will helpe mee with their prayers to God for the encrease of his grace to the further inloâ—ging of the kingdome of his holy sonne Iesus Now the very God of peace sanctifie your Honour throughout and in the perusing hereof to measure the commendation to the glorie of God by the liking and feeling of your own heart so shal I haue what I desire and my paines shall bee more then sufficientlie recompeÌ„ced Praying vnto God that you may liue long to the benefit of your Countrie the aduancement of your Honour the comfort of learning and aboue all that your whole spirit and soule and bodie may bee kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ to his glorie who shall glorifie you in the Heauens Amen TO THE GODLY and well disposed Reader HAuing taken in hand to entreat of this place of Scripture according to my poore talent wherewith God hath enabled me at the sundry motions earnest requests of some of my friends such as feare God I was earnestly desired to put the same in print for the benefit as they said of others whose christian desier I take in this case as a sufficient calling hereunto neither do I yet see how I could haue made them a denyall without some preiudice to their soules and some checke vnto mine owne conscience For the matter it selfe containing The Lauar of the heart or the Bath of Sanctification I confesse is of that excellencie that it requireth both large and deepe discourses wherein both learned and godly haue not bin wanting In this corruption of nature it is not possible to do any thing so exactly well but will bee carped at depraued and slandered so that who offereth any thing to the sight of the world must make ready his backe for the deepe surrowes of euery byting censurer Psa 1.9 3. Therefore who am I that I should take vpon me to set forth and publish any thing the vnworthiest I confesse of many hundreds and the vnablest of many thousands yet seeing many things more simple lesse needfull and profitable are not only suffered but alowed to come abroad I am â—â—t altogether discouraged neither hath any man iust cause to accuse me in this my honest enterprise And so much the lesse because my care hath been to bee sound and plaine for the benefit of the simplier sort and especially for the satisfying of such honest and good hearts as desired to peruse that with their eyes which they heard with their eares that so better meditating and remembring that which otherwise they forget they might make their hearts as rich in grace as Sermons according to the truth of God are full of goodnesse If thou gentle Reader meete with any thing in any part of the Sermon that thou shalt iudge worthie the censuring as me right in vnderstanding me as I expresly spake it and let me before aâ— vncharitable opinion be setled I pray thee haue some brotherly signification thereof and I shall be most ready God willing to satisfie thee therein or to alter or to better my iudgement if any man out of the word of God shall offer to instruct me for as I desier to teach what I know without grudging so I disdaine not to learne that wherein I am ignorant without blushing we know nothing yet as we ought to know saith the Apostle therefore I doe not presume of perfection I confesse much imperfection euery way and in this do wholy and humbly submit my selfe to the iudgement of the Church as I do for my sinfull life in Christ craue mercy of God The Lord enforme vs all with all profitable and conuenient trueth and frame all our affections thereafter And the Lord giue vs all grace to turne our hearts from the world vnto God our contentions into the peace of the Church and our mindes into loyall obedience vnto Soueraigne authority and our prayers and thanksgiuings for our gratious and dread Soueraigne King IAMES Amen Amen THE LAVER OF THE HEART OR THE Bath of Sanctification IEREM 4.14 O Ierusalem wash thine heart from wickednesse that thou maiest be saued or helped or kept THe blessed Apostle S. Paul Hebr. 5.13.14 coÌ„pareth the Scripture to the Store-house of a rich and plentifull house-keeper wherein is laid vp variety of victuals fit for all persons and estates both milke for babes that are vnexpert in the word of righteousnesse and stronger meate for them that are of riper age which through long custome haue their wits exercised to discerne both good and euill And our Saurouâ— Christ Matth. 13.52 compareth it to a treasurie wherein are things both new and old so that euery one may receiue hence what is conuenient for him new garments and new vessels may bee filled with new wine new cloth and old garments and old vessels may bee filled with old wine and old cloth
they prophesie If Christ Iesus in the new Testament approueth this then such ought not to bee heard that haue not the same approbation But Christ Iesus from heauen in the chosen vessell Saint Paul Acts 9.12 sending him to Ananias that hee might lay his hands vpon him and receiue sight Vrim and Thummim science and good conscience knowledge and holinesse to beare his name before the Gentiles which maketh the proposition If in nature order doe sound against such irregular persons then it cannot be well pleasing to God that any in the Lords name without the Lords appointment should meddle with the Ephod or deale with the sacred things of God But Peter Martyr vpon the 1. of Sam. 14. saith Spectanda est in ecclesiasticis Eutaxia in politicis autem parendum est In Ecclesiasticall lawes good order must be considered but in politicall wee must obey And to thrust in a mans selfe without an assignement is against order which is ingrauen in euery mans person euen from the head to the foote For is not the head a tower the eyes watchmen the eye-lids windowes for light the mouth a doore to let in prouision the tongue a speaker to call for that which is needfull and to examine that which is doubtfull be not the cares spies to listen the hands seruitors the feet messengers to carrie and recarrie â—1 â—â—al the teeth grinders of natures prouision is not the pâ—llat a taster the stomack a kitchin wherein all things bee prepared for the benefit of nature that so the whole body bee preserued as the closet of the soule All which being held in that order that God hath set them doe cry against the disordered furie of men in the ministeâ—ie that runne before they are sonâ— Yea not onely Diuinity reason and nature but Christian policie proclaimeth that if Iudget Iesticâ—â— in their Sessions suting for correction of vice in the Kings name first plead their commission then ought no man in the name of the King of heauen preach without his assignement For application It sâ—rueth to teach vs that as many â—s â—aue any feare of God ought to heare with all meeknesse Such Ministers and messengers of the Lord that haue receiued their calling from the Church which is that which Saint Iames giueth for doctrine Iom 1.21 Wee being called bee the Lords seruants therefore wee must doe our masters message and hee that doth but his masters message no more ought not to be blamed nay ought to be beleeued For whatsoeuer the Lord by his messengers sayeth must bee beleeued and being commanded by them who are first commanded by the Lord they must be obeyed Therefore the Lord in this our text commanding high and low rich poore to sanctifie themselues speaketh vnto vs here present Wherefore this day wee ought to obey this commaundement as we will answere it at our vttermost perill Vse 2 The second vse serueth for reproose first concerning the Papacie whose vocation is scarce sufficient to giue them a lawfull assignment to bee Ministers of the Gospell and of the Sacraments For the right of those orders whereby they were ordained to sacrifice for the quicke and the dead vndermining the sacrifice of our Sauiour we denie to be one and the same with the most iust and equall lawes which the Lord made touching the necessity of vocation The third vse Vse 3 Yea this lastly serueth to teach vs to confute condemne the irregular and preposterous course of the Separatists Anabaptists and Familists that runne before they are sent and take vpon them to ordaine and send forth Ministers being no Ministers themselues Wherefore such as go forth without the ordinance of the Church as Heretickes and Schismatickes doe are not to bee receiued nor heard of such as feare God For what truth may hee deliuer from God that hath his calling froÌ„ man and not from God what Sacraments may hee administer that hath no lawfull calling to the ministery what profit may he bring vnto the people himselfe not brought vp nor sent of God euen as much as Saint Peter that fished on the wrong side of the ship al night and caught nothing so much good and no more may we looke to come by their ministerie that in contempt of the Churches ordination and imposition of hands runne vp and downe gathering vnto themselues a heape of hearers who are not taught as you haue heard from God by Ieremy but from Ieremy by Ieremy and so doe Toto coelo errare à coelo feed vpon mans inuentions in stead of the immortall food of Gods word Hence it commeth that diuines turne religion into disputation and stand more vpon science then good conscience to get themselues a name by leading the poore people into a thousand pitifull opinions In the first and best daies of the Church it was farre otherwife vnto which glorious dayes the Lord Iesus brings vs and that soone lest Christians turne Iewes and Christianity be turned into Atheisme and let euery good Christian say Amen Now a word Doct. 2 as they bee the words of the Prophet in the name of the Lord. Ieremiah speaketh from the Lord Therefore of God hee must learne his dutie From whence I beseech you Fathers and brethren let vs confirme our iudgements that the Ministers of God are not before hand to bee taught their lessons of men but they must first learne both matter and manner what to speak and how to speake from God before they teach men The truth of this our example leadeth vs to For Ieremy speaketh from God and not from man This doctrine runneth with the current and streame of the liuely waters Exod. 3.12 The Lord said to Moses I will bee with thee Exod. 4.12 and I will be with thy mouth and will teach thee what thou shalt say Of the Iudges of Israel it was said Iudg. 3.10 And the spirit of the Lord came vpon him and he iudged Israel It is the Lords appointment Isa 6.6 with a coale from his Altar to inflame the tongue of his messenger Because to whom a Minister is to performe his dutie of him hee is to learne his dutie Ephes 6.17 But in teaching of men a Minister is to performe his duty to God 1. Cor. 4.1 3.10 Therefore wee must not speake what we will nor how wee list but all must be both for matter manner as God will So saith the Prophet 1. Reg. 22.14 Whatsoeuer the Lord saith vnto me that will I speak Yea so saith the false Prophet Numb 23.3 Whatsoeuer the Lord sheweth vnto me I will tell thee And this is that which the Prophet Isay prophecied of our blessed Sauiour that before he should be sent forth of the Father to preach it was said Luk. 4.18 that the spirit of the Lord God is vpon me therefore hath the Lordannointed me he hath sent me to preach good tidings c. To conclude this If some Magistrates will scorne to learne
in what case shall they stand before the Almighty Prou. 16.5 The Wise man saith All that are proud in heart are an abomination to the Lord. The Lord resisteth the proud and giueth grace to the humble Worthy was the speech of a Reuerend Bishop of our time Doctor Babington that said If it be a shame to weare a paper on the hat at Westminster hal to declare what was done it is as reprochfull to weare a vaine garment on the back to pull all mens eyes vpon thee O that the God of heauen would moue you in the Magistracy to reuiue and put life into the many and good lawes concerning apparell that men and women in their distinct callings might bee knowne what manner of persons they bee that so honour as she is of her selfe bright and glorious might haue her like raiment to her splendor that so she might be discerned from the base vulgars I haue stayed you here too long but I leaue the mother and come to the daughter The euill of Contention crieth for the rod of your correction For this sinne is the daughter of Pride Onely through pride man causeth contention Prou. 13.10 and by contention the land is diuided O Lord heale the sores thereof for it shaketh But coÌ„tention is a coale too hot for my cooling I entreate you in the Magistracie that your fountaines of discipline may flow forth to wash away this sinne out of the Church and Common wealth For it we akeneth both Common-wealth Church of God yea it hindreth good proceedings it troubleth the best subiects that may be that Papists and Atheists in meane time may doe what they list The diuision betweene Protestant and Protestant the alienation of affection betweene Minister and Minister that will neither vouchsafe to seeme to consent not ioyne together against the common aduersarie giueth aduant age to the Papists But as the blessed Apostle saith to the Ephesians Ephes 4.4 so say I There is but one body one spirit one hope of our calling one Lord one faith one Baptisme one God and one Father of all If there be any consolation in Christ euen for his sake that made vs and for his blood that died for vs let all these Ones make vs one in the truth and while we liue to keepe the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace The Last euill that waiteth for your check needeth iron hands to punish the wickednesse thereof is the contempt of you that sit in the high places For the contempt of gouernment Rom. 13.1 â— iâ— the contempt of God himselfe But the Papists will say they may in some things disobey Casar and make no breach of their alleagiance to Almighty Godâ— But they that so say 〈◊〉 Iob saith telleth a lie for the Almighty The contrary I doe protest that subiectâ—â— to Princes standeth with and is commanded in religion by God himselfe For that which is Casâ—â—â— ought to be giuen to Casar Matth. 22.21 if wee will keep our allegiance to God and the contempt of gouernment is a sin by Saint Iudâ— bound vp in the bundle of death Where you may reade that none but filthy persons that need to be washed cut and keâ—â—ned doe despise gouernment whom Saint Peter calleth bruit beasts lead by sensuâ—lltie which haue no ground but ignorance which if they pleade not you shall doe well to let them haue no mercie but iustice There be 2. poyson some wormes that gaster at the roote of gouernment and two beasts amongst vs with Ants bellies and Mâ—lâ—â—hes hands like the horseleach that will neuer be satisfied And if you would know them by name the one is hath wasted all the other longeth to waste all Hath wasted all are the male-contented prodigals that in euerie degree haue consumed their owne estates and now houer ouer other mens and their eye watcheth for the twy-light and of these some lie couchant and dormant Concerning would waste all or longeth to waste all who haue treasured vp wrath and reuenge in their mindes against Prince and people These forsooth crie out that euery man must not be subiect to all that bee in office or superioritie ouer him by that he is a Superiour and that onely in matters of peace and policie but not in matters of religion or regiment of soules Rhem. annot in Rom. 13. These be the counterfeit Catholikes that haue taken libertie to change their ciuill Superiour for a spirituall Father and religion for policie and policie for religion The Lord Almighty look down vpon them and in his wrath grant to as many among them as be impenitent the day that Zachariâ— prophecieth vnto them euen a day Zach. 14.12 that their eyes shall sinke in their holes and their tongue confume in their mouth and that their flesh may consume away though they stand vpon their feete because they fight against Ierusalem In meane time right Honourable it lieth vpon you for the safetie of the Kings person of the State and your selues to looke vnto them For the cause of the contempt of the Magistrate is the incorrigiblenes of the euill disposed Wherefore sith lawes be the sinewes of a Common-wealth Plato sith they be a diuine gift sith they bee the bands of Cities Demost Cicero Plutar. sith they are the very life of the Common-wealth and sith the Magistrate is the life of the law let me preuaile with you in the Lords behalfe to take the zeale of Phineas and the courage of Moses and Iosuh and goe through your Citie search and see and you shall behold sinne to be growne to a head and therfore high time that you make head against it You haue the sword of iustice you haue the law who doth warrant the sword of iustice but the law who defends the law but the sword of iustice Let the sword of iustice by the law be warranted and spare it not lest your selues bee neglected you are our Fathers we are your children spart your rod and spill vs. The first coÌ„mandement that was giuen to man after the creation was the Law and vpon breach of the Law was the sword giuen to reuenge iustice If you that be in authoritie suffer it rust in the sheath you will be contemned iustice despised the poore oppressed and the whole Common-wealth confounded I might here leade you to more abominations then these where in drunkennesse men become beasts and yet at this day hee is not counted a man that will not take away the image of man and defile himselfe therewith Oh the height of prophanenesse that man should offer more sacrifice to Bacchus then to Iehouah I might shew you the wickednesse of whoring euen in this citie where many men prostrate their bodies to vncleannes Let me perish if more soules of our youth perish any other way then this From hence it is right Honourable that the citie the towne and the countrie is filled with beggers and sturdie vngabonds that
God of whom I haue receiued both my commission and lesson what and how to speake and how farre to proceed against you That you may the rather hearken and giue your attention vnto the words know the exceeding loue affection the Lord hath toward you hee is so farre from desâ—ring your destruction or delighting and pleasing himselfe in your ponishment as that hee be moneth your miserie and lamenteth your losse yea as a compassionate father hee pitieth you and hath compassion on all those of whose returne there is any hope And that you should beleeue it his will is that his messengers should haue the same tender affection and compassionate care ouer the Church that Iaphâ—â—â— may be allured to dwell in the â—ems of Sam. And that none may stand vp to excuse himselfe my words do not poynt to the Assyrions Idumeâ—ns nor Moâ—bites but they doe concerne thee O Ierusalem that take your selues to bee a purified people There be none so holy but need farther information and reformation and it is the Ministers duty to speak the word and rebuke sinne and exhort every kinde of profession vnto religion and that you the hearers might nor thinke it an Indifferent thing to heare or not to he are because men like your selues speake it It is not a counsell but a commandement enforcing the estimation of the authority of the Prophet no lesse the Gods own authority Wherefore in the Lords behalfe suruey your waits in your heâ—reâ— by the glasse of Gods law you that think your selues to bee a sanctified people shall behold great 〈◊〉 of washing not only the seet but the head also not the out side alone but the very insulâ— is defiled For I must tell you you are no better within then you bee without But albeit thou art commanded to sanctifie thy heart beware of assuming any power vnto your selues for as sanctification is an action not words so it is not mans but Gods worke yet so that God worketh not vpon man as vpon stocks but as vpon reasonable creatures who by Gods preuenting grace work together with him the works of God For in this action the hand is the whole Trinitie the water is the teares of repentance 1. Thes 5.23 the soape is the grace of God through Christ and the sunne that drieth vs maketh vs accepted is the applying and iustifying faith through Christ Iesus And in this worke be sure that thou thy selfe bee exercised therein for God will not be serued and worshipped by atturneyes and another for thee for thou must serue God for thy selfe because the iust man must liue by his own faith And heere O Ierusalem you must vnderstand although the Lord hath made you the Prince of the Prouinces seating you in the high places to cleanse and reforme others yet the Lord requireth that you first cleanse your selues and wash your owne hearts before you sit vpon others first sit vpon your selues And herein bee not hypocrites for outward holinesse without the heart goe with it is abominable before God but sanctifie the heart and all will be cleane Therefore let the obiect wherabout you must be busied be your sins wickednesse for the readiest way to bring you backe from prophanenesse is to conuince your selues of sinne And so doing the gaine is your owne for thereby you shall not profit the Lord with your righteousnesse but your selues For so shall you in this life bee preserued when others perish and in the life to come saued when other shall be damned The God of all grace so sanctifie vs in the vnderstanding hereof generally that wee so apply the doctrines particularly to our hearts that all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit may so bee cleansed that wee may grow vp vnto full holinesse in the feare of God Concerning the fust point containing the Acclamation in the coÌ„mandement where I beseech you 1. consider the persons speaking namely God by Ieremie and the Prophet in the name of the Lord. 2. Chr. â—9 25 And this is of great force to enforce the commandement The world is become so captious that it is more ready to question by what authority the Preacher preacheth then with obedience to obey the preaching Therefore to remoue all lets that may hinder the acceptance of his doctrine he first of all pleadeth his commission Doct. 1 From whence wee may learne that none ought to speake teach in the Lords name that be not able to shew their authority and commission to bee set on worke both by God and his Church This the Prophet proueth speaking not in his owne but in the Lords name As if he should haue said I doe not of my selfe command you for theÌ„ you might think me too busie but I haue authority and commission diuine and am set a worke by the Lord whose will I must obey and therfore you ought to heare me with patience For I am none of those who run and God hath not sent my calling is from God And for this cause receiued I the anoynting 1. Ioh. 2.21 which is nothing else but the assignement vocation and ordination of any to â—n office in Church or Common-wealth with a promise of bestowing sit gifts for the discharge thereof To this end Kings Prophets Priests in the old Testament were â—nnointed signifying the spirituall oyle of Gods grace fitting vs to our calling this is that Chrysma that will teach vs all things Here I mind not with Ireâ—ans Lib. 3. cap. 3. to shew you that Alia vocatio est extraordinaria alia ordinaria that the one is without the suffrage of men by the onely voice of God as was Abraham Moses and the Prophets vnder the Law and as Iohn the Baptist and the Apostles in the time of the Gospell and that the other was by the suffrage of the Church Precibus impositione manuum as now in the time of the Gospell the Lord sendeth labourers into his vineyard But my purpose is briefly to shew you that none without a lawfull calling froÌ„ the Church by whose hands the Lord sendeth forth fit men into the Ministery ought to be heard of the Lords people If the Lord would not beare with any of what degree soeuer in the time of the Law but would punish euen Kings that would meddle with the Priests office that had no calling thereunto Then none without a lawful calling may take vpon them the ministerie not bee heard of the Lords people But the proposition is true Exod. 28.1 Numb 16.32.35 1. Sam. 13.9.10.11.13 2. Reg. 9.7.31 2. Sam. 6.6.7 2. Reg. 15.5 If no man may take this office but he that is called as Aaron was Then c. But Hebr. 5.4 If the Lord from heauen complaineth of such that runne before they be sent then such ought not to bee heard of the Lords people But the Lord complaineth let 23.21 saying I haue not sent these Prophets yet they runne I haue not spoken vnto them and yet
and ceremonies of time place and persons bee not vtterly vnlawfull Wherefore deare brethren stand not vpon titles for they which labour well are worthie of double honour regard not garments for Iustin the Martyr would put on a heathenish garment rather then he would leaue preaching of Christ Yea S. Paul himselfe rather then there should bee any let to the preaching of the Gospell hee would make bald the head and shaue the haire Act. 18.18 And therefore woe vnto vs that liue in these degenerate dayes that for blacke white round and square will suffer our selues the Elders of the daughters of Sion to sit vpon the ground and keepe silence that leaue our preaching our maintenance and care of our families wanting more the supply of our wants then the people want vs. Vse 3 Now a word for instruction out of this doctrine whence sith Ministers ought to speake from the Lord and to learne their duties of God wee may learne that euery Minister of the Lord approued must speake with the euidence of Gods spirit without adding Deut. 4.2 or diminishing 1. Corinth 2.4 Neither stood my preaching in the enticeing speech of mans wisedome but in plaine euidence of the spirit saith Saint Paul 2. Cor. 2.17 We are not as those many that make merchandize of the word of God Micah 3.8 For the Minister of God ought to be full of the power of the spirit of the Lord and of iudgement and of strength to declare vnto Iacob his transgression and to Israel his sin Much might be said in this point but I feare I haue dwelt too long vpon the first branch I meane the persons speaking so that time will not tarrie for me Therefore with your patience I passe to the persons exhorted or called vpon The second branch in the first part The persons spoken to is the daughter of Iudah the Prince of the Prouinces and of Cities Ierusalem the most glorious of all the world The former Chapter exhorted Israel and the ten Tribes to repent who for their sinnes were carried into Assyria in the ninth yeere of Hosea King of the ten Tribes So in this Chapter Iudah is called vpon to cleanse his waies and amend his life lest the like euill befall him that ouertooke his brother Israel Now concerning Iudah which was the onely people of God and so instructed by his Prophets as none were more nor so much as the people of Ierusalem yet heere they needed further to bee called vpon Doct. 3 It serueth to teach vs that there be none so learned so wise so religious nor so holy in this world but need further reformation and still to bee called vpon and put in remembrance by the Lords seruants for an encrease in the growth of grace proued heere Ierusalem as this famous City of our kingdome was the schoole of the Prophets a place eminent for learning renounned for religion yet must be more religious as the Zaphire for shining yet need to bee cleansed Therefore in this life is no perfection but a growth in godlinesse is here continually looked for of God at our hands 1. Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 6.7 Num. 15.38 Deut. 11.18 the sincere milke of the Word that you may grow therby For this cause the Prophet Dauid knew it was necessarie for vs to chew the cud and to whet Gods word vpon our harts to giue an edge to that which hath been taught vs Psal 12. Therfore he saith The blessed man will meditate vpon the Law of the Lord day and night And to this end Saint Peter 2.1.4.5 calleth vpon the well taught Iewes to ioyn vertue with vertue c. And S. Iude vers 5. telleth vs it is needfull to be better instructed and to bee put in minde of that which we do know 1. Because naturally wee are forgetfull of the things wee haue learned 2. Because our daily sinnes doe eclipse and straiten Gods graces in vs Isa 59.2 Ierem. 5.25 so that the spirit is not as in former times 3. Because there be none so holy but by Satans subtiltie may fall from the good begun 1. Cor. 10.12 Hee that standeth take heede lest he fall Rom. 11.20 Thoustandest by faith be not high minded but feare Vse 1 1. The vse of this doctrine may informe our iudgements that there was neuer any nor may bee any pure or perfect in this life without sinne but that the perfection of the Saints is alwaies here further to bee informed for knowledge and more and more to grow vp in sanctification of the flesh 2. Cor. 7.1 and spirit For what is he among the sonnes of Adam Prou. 20.9 that can say his heart is cleane from sinne Iob 9.30 The very clothes we put on saith Iob make vs filthie Know Right Honorable that our perfection is to know our imperfections Yet I am not ignorant that there is a generation that are pure in their owne conceit Pro. 30.12 and yet are not washed from their filthinesse But I say with the ancient Aug. conf l. 9. c. 13 Vae etiam laudabile vitae hominum siremota misericordia discutias eam Woe to our very praiers and preachings if they be examined without mercy The second vse serueth to reproue such that thinke if they haue heard Gods word for some small time and from thence haue attained vnto some ciuill carriage and a varnished profession that then they haue learned enough But this is false for wee must encrease for it is not enough that the corne bee a blade but that it be an care that it be cone full flowred and Christians must neuer giue ouer till our righteousnesse breake forth as the perfect day The third vse directeth vs vnto watchfulnesse ouer our conuersation and sheweth that we cannot be too forward as prophane Atheists say because thâ—â— life is but a growing age and therefore non progrede is regredi not to goe forward is to goe backward Wherefore I beseech you take the Apostles counsell and worke forth your saluation in feare and trembling Phil. 2.12 Prou. 28 1â— 1 Pet. 1.17 For blessed is the man that feareth alwaies And let vs that cal God Father passe our time in feare and trembling 1. Ioh. 4.14 1. Cor. 4.34 But heere with Heraclitus wee haue lust cause to weepe and with Ierâ—â—â—y to let teares runne downe night and day for the sinnes of our conuersation which makes ioy in bell and reioycing among the wicked in earth Which is that that Berden saith caused Tacitus so to raile against Christians that the Christians committed those crimes that the Heathens abhorred Were Taritus aliue at this day hee should see some called Christians out-dare the diuels themselues in wickednesse For the diuels beleeue that there is a God and tremble at it but wee may heare some that name theÌ„selues Christians auouch that there is no God and laugh at it I beseech you Right Honourable open your
haue abused life for sildome doth hee dye well that liueth euill O my soule come not in to their habitation woe be vnto them for they follow the way of Caine are cast away with the deceit of Balams wages And now I turne vnto you the seruants of the Lord that haue as great care to keepe sinne from their soules as sicknesse from your bodies I beseech you in the feare of God and in the waightie consideration of your own sinnes euen for the Lords sake for your poore soules sake and for Iesus Christes sake that was made sinne for vs 2 Cor. 5.20 hearken to the counsell of our Prophet crying aloud in the audience of you all O Ierusalem wash thy heart from wickednesse detest and abhorre thy former sinnes forsake thy old way walke in newnesse of life cast away the workes of darkenesse and put on the Armour of light Rom. 13.12 Prou. 24.16 Hate all sin past care to preuent sinne to come and entertaine it not offering it selfe againe For the iust falleth and riseth againe but the wicked fall into mischiefe And this endeauouring the blessed spirit will helpe our infirmities and our heauenly Father make vs white in the blood of the Lambe Apoc. 7.14 For this is not the worke of flesh and blood although man bee spoken vnto as though he had power to doe it but it is the action and worke of the whole Trinitie and yet it is commanded as it were our worke Ephes 1.10 because God worketh in vs not as in stockes and stones but as in reasonable creatures for wee by the worke of his grace worke together with him yet still so as that sanctification is still wholly from God For first 1. Thes 5.23 â—â—t 3.5 Ephes 2.26 God the Father sanctifieth by giuing his Sonne God the Sonne sanctifieth by mortifying our sinnes by his blood and the holy Ghost sanctifieth by applying the vertue of Christs death and resurrection vnto vs. Ioh. 3.5 And we may be said to sanctifie our selues when we applie our will desire and endeauour in the vse of the meanes ordained of God And thus much bee said for the generall Now let vs in Gods feare fall vpon the particulars And first sanctification is an action teaching vs that true religion and vndefiled consisteth not in a speculatiue or contemplatiue profession but in an actiue and practiue conuersation in holinesse for knowledge without obedience encreaseth punishment Luk. 12 47. Mat. 7.22 24. Luk. 11.28 Iam. 1.23 25.27 For not euery one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome but he that doth the will of the Father For pure religion and vndefiled before God the Father is this to visit the fatherlesse and widdowes in their aduersitie Mary and Martha will doe well so they be both in one house so will Christian profession and practise if they meet both in one soule Let a Christian take it a shame to bee like an Athenian that is to know what appertaineth vnto vertue but not to practise it And the God of heauen make vs all not only knowers speakers Preachers and professors of Gods word but doers thereof that we may be saued Doct. 2 Againe as it is a worke so it is a worke that may not be performed by an Atturney but by our selues in our owne persons for our selues must doe it for the commandement is Wash thy c. From whence the doctrine is that God requireth of euery Christian that hee performe the parts of Gods worship and the duties of charity actually himselfe vnto God and men before hee depart hence for himselfe and not by others for him Our learned aduersaries beare the world in hand that as we come to earthly Princes by mediators and solicitors so Christians ought to come to the Prince of Princes For they hold it presumption to prease into the presence of the King of heauen without the mediation of many If our God did feare the treasons of any or did not know or remember the wants of all his children himselfe or if hee could not heare all the sutes of all the world at one instant and if hee had not appointed his onely Sonne to be the onely meanes in whom wee haue promised accesse then their perswasion might haue passed for doctrine But the contrary on Gods part to vs is true Therefore let vs know that other mens good workes shall do no good for vs nor others prayers for vs without our owne workes and prayers for our selues For nothing more beloued brethren hath spoiled Church and Common-wealth then doing duties non per se sed per alium It hath brought ignorance into the Church and briberie into the Common-wealth which moued our renouned Soueralgue King Iames in his Basiliâ—on Doroâ— l. 2. p. 35. to giue this charge to the Prince his Sonne that be spare not any paines in his owne person to see iustice executed giuing for instance his most worthie Grand-father of famous memory whose honour was to bee stiled and called the poore mans King And in the 55. page his Maiesty counselleth the Prince once a yeere to visit the principall parts of the kingdome not referring to Vice-royes but to heare the complaints himselfe and to decide the principall matterâ— in his owne person And here you see the exercises of religion and parts of Gods worship must bee done actually personally of euery one of the Lords seruants for themselues This you call for at our hands the Preacher must be resident say you and must preach for himselfe and must not the hearer heare for himselfe also why say you one to another go you to day to Church and serue God for me and I will serue God for you to morrow This conceit moueth certaine to prepare Bead-men to pray while they theÌ„selues play But learne of our Prophet the parts of Gods worship must be performed of euery one of vs for our selues for anothers faith can not saue vs wee must pray for our selues for our requests are gâ—aâ—eed according to our owne faith Be is vnto thee as thou be leâ—â—â—st Therefore repent for thy selft confesse thine owne sinne rather then another shall declare it doe good workes for thy selfe for to giue blackes and large almes is good but one pennie with thine owne hand is a precious sacrifice in the eyes of God Remember the saying Galaâ—b 6.10 While we haue time â—â—e vs we our selues dâ—â— good vnto all men 1. The reason iâ— because the Prophet giueth it for doctrine Habac 2.4 For the iust shall liue by his owne faith marke the word his 2. Because wee may as well see by another mans eyes as goe to heauen by another mans workes 3. Because the question in the day of daies shall not be what other men haue done for vs but what wee haue done for our selues Mat. 35.42 that is whether with our owne hands wee haue giuen meate to the hungry drinke to the thirsty harbour to the stranger clothes to the