the daughter of Pharaoh as Psal 45. Now the true husband of the Churche is Christ Iesus and none other for he is that Bridegroome that hath the bride Iohn 3.29 Whosoeuer therfore vsurpeth the head ship of the Church besides Christe the true husbande is a theefe and enemy to the spouse The Pope therefore is a false husband and wrongfully layeth claime to the Church and all his children are but bastardes But Solomon here figuratiuely describing Christ to enter into his garden vnderstandeth both that hee hath taken possession of his heauenlye Kingdome and riches wher he prepareth heauenly and eternal banquets for his saintes and elect also that he is come into his Church and inheritaunce vpon earth to make proffer of al these his riches and royal treasures to his saints that they may participate with him in his glory To this end Solomon putteth vpon Christe the person of a Sutor or woer and describeth the Church vnder the person of a maiden or virgine longing after her loue This 1. vers and the 2. containeth the first part of the Chapter the first part of the chapter standing in two pointes which concerneth the suite of Christe whereby hee calleth his Churche and faithfull This suite I wil giue vnto you after this manner First the reasons which he vseth in his suite The reasons which are 4. These shal be considered in their place Secondly the suite it selfe or calling of his spouse The suite it selfe which because it is intermedled between the reasons I wil note them to you as they lye for I will not tye my selfe to any prezise order but note the matter it self as may be most forcible to mooue vs and moste fit for the sense of the place and edifying of you The first reason He first beginneth with reasons which he propoundeth as matter to mooue his Spouse withall and to make a more easie way to his suite The firste reason hee setteth downe in the forme of a preface or narration which is drawne from his excellent dignitie prerogatiue and eternal riches which hee hath already receiued I am come into my Garden I gathered my Myrrh c. He propoundeth as I say his reasons and first that he hath fair possessions and a rich princely kingdome furnished with al heauenly and spiritual commodities and he offereth the pleasures of this his kindome vnto his Church on earth which he after againe calleth his garden For I cannot vnderstand this entrance into his garden onely of Christes heauenly residence in glory whither he is ascended and hath taken possession of life but euen of his kingdome also which he exerciseth ouer his saints on earth Because it is an answere and graunt to the former suite of the Church that he woulde come to his garden euen to his Church on earth by his word and spirite Hitherto tendeth the Metaphor of descending chapter 6. ver 2.10 So that albeit Christe bee resident in the heauens enriched and dignified with all power of thinges in heauen and earth yet is hee present with his Church on earth in spirit and in the ministery of his worde and Sacraments as the printes of the soals of his feete Ezech. 42.7 And so doth set abroach all his heauenly riches to vs by the preaching of his Gospell intreating vs to receiue them Also we see that vsually Christes kingdome and Church on earth is figured by a Garden fielde or yarde and not his heauenly kingdome of glory so as the Metaphors or similies vsed of the holy Ghost els where make plaine this matter For the Church is compared to a vineyarde Isai 5.1 Iere. 2.21 Math. 21.33 Mar. 12.1 By which places we find that the church of God which is on the earth is compared oft to a garden or yard So as I conclude by these borrowed speeches of the scripture that the garden doth not onely import the possession of his heauenly kingdome but euen also his church on earth which God gaue his sonne an inheritance euen to the vtmost partes thereof both Iews and Gentiles to whom he offereth his riches and communicateth his heauenly inheritaunce to the faithfull which they apprehend here by faith and after shall fully possesse in heauen with Christ Christ here protesteth himselfe to haue all true felicitie and therefore perswadeth his Spouse to open vnto him participate his graces and sure it is this cannot but be a great reason to moue vs to embrace him sith he is cheefe heire of al things it is a reason which earthly woers vse much if they can report of their greate reuenewes riches possessions rich friendes especially if they are already in possession and their inheritaunce come to them already then it carrieth some sway withall to mooue their louers to cast some liking on them So Christe is here discribed vnto vs as a Sutor which standeth not at the courtesy of his freendes but is already inuested and installed into his roiall kingdom and his inheritance is already deliuered into his hands by his heauenlye father This reason me thinks should waigh very much with vs for it is forcible if we haue any hearts to bee mooued This reason is amplified by particulars afterward whē he saith I haue gathered my myrrh with my spice I baue ate my bony comb with my hony c There is interlaced certaine titles of loue as my sister my doue which include part of another reason which titles we will consider of afterward when we come to the mention of many titles giuen to the spouse in the 2 verse by myrrh spice hony wine and mylke Solomon figureth and importeth vnto vs heauenly spirituall riches For as these things are delicate nourishable to the body so the word the sweet promises of life are meat drink and all necessaries to the soule Therefore the spirite of God vnder these earthly benefits commendeth the heauenly and spirituall As Esay 55.1.2 The graces of the spirit of god brought to vs by Iesus Christe and conuaied into the faithfull by the preaching of the Gospell are called waters wine hony bread And Prouerb 9.1 Wisdome is compared to a Queene keping open house opening all her Treasures drawing her wines preparing her table bringing foorth her treasures and calling all to participate with her Also Christ himself Iohn 7.37 offereth to the thirstie to drink euen of the waters of life which after is interpreted Iohn 7. ver 39. to be ment of the graces of the spirite of God Thus we plainly see by the borrowed speeches of the scriptures that by these earthly benefites and commodities are figured heauenly and spirituall graces For the same that meat drinke and other pleasures is to the body the same is the worde and the riches thereof to the soule Christ is els where compared to a Kinges sonne that married and biddeth guesse to his wedding Math. 22.2 See then the force of this reason I pray you that Christ intreateth to be
with others would easily shew their nature against the people of God if they had oportunitie and yet they are hatched oh pitiful danger and nouâ—ished euen in the lap of the church Thus many Cankers breede in the bowels of the church heresies fonde opinions familists Brounists and such other Thus by such meanes as lamentable it is to see the graft of godlinesse and zeale is hindred And through the neglect of officers magistrates rather then laws these beastes swarme in our Church Also drunkards swearers whores adulterers proude pecockes raylers contemners of God and his word prophanations of the Sabboth and an innumerable kindes both of sinners and sinnes which ouergrow the church as a wildernesse which because magistrates doe not laboure to roote out so carefully as they ought the Lord doth strangely consume som sinners by the fire of his wrath froÌ„ heauen Which al shold be cut off by discipline or at least way bee forced to some reformation Can it be that the Lord wil trust vs any longer with a Lease of his garden we abusing him in such maner so as we greeue the Lords soul with our vnfaithfulnes and cause his soule to hate vs. Esay 1.14 Who bestoweth such cost on vs we prosper so little as hee can gather very few Lillies amongst vs he wanteth the fruit of our hearts and lippes as faith loue feare obedience charity thankesgiuing prayse inuocation hearing his word professing his name c. But some perhaps wil say why it is in as good case as we found it the same discipline laws and doctrine are stil which was in the beginning of her maiesties raign so the Lords garden and church is not impaired and it shal bee left in as good case as it was found and better then heretofore Sure the Lorde doth not plaÌ„t a vineyard let it out to stand or be kept alwaies at a stay but to bee tilled and dressed that it maye grow and prosper to bring foorth more fruite For hee requireth that men bestowe their care labour wisedome and trauail vpon it that hee maye haue it more furnished and fenced For hee tataketh payne him selfe aboute his Churche to that ende that sinne may bee suppressed and Godlinesse aduanced But the Lorde make vs truely thankfull in Christ Iesus for those beginninges and proceedinges of his church which we haue that he hath planted his worde true religion amongst vs countenancing the same his truth with the authoritye and sworde of our gratious Princesse Elizabeth as also with many worthy learned godly and noble Councellers as also other learned Patrons of his Church without whom we should find to our great misery and the spoyle of religion howe hardly the Lordes garden should be at al kept without them But our sinnes yea our contempt and neglect of the word of God and his glory doe hinder the Lorde from blessing vs with that encrease which otherwise wee mighte enioy yea our sinnes betraye the state of our Churche and lande and deserue the losse of so Princely a Deborah and other woorthye personnages wherewith our Church is inriched yea that the Lorde shoulde take away all the walles and defences of our church and land giue vs ouer to the spoile Let vs therefore if we beare any good will to our Church or Countrye labour to purge oure selues from al corruption and to repent vs of oure sinnes that we may bring foorth good fruits such as the lord may haue pleasure in that hee may haue a delight to abide among vs. For it is the sinnes of a land that causeth the Lordes wrath to smoke against the same but our land I suppose haue exceeded the old world Sodom and Gomorrha Israell Iehuda and al landes in straunge sinnes so that if in comparison Ezec. 16.51 Iudah and the inhabitants thereof iustified Sodom for that their sinnes exceeded the sinnes of the Sodomits Then we haue iustified al Nations in comparison of our sins and therefore are in daunger to al the feareful plagues that are mentioned in the booke of God vnlesse we speedely therfore repent I feare we shal tast of such iudgementes as that the stranger that shal come from a farre land Deut. 29.22 shal saye when they see the plagues of this land and the diseases therof wherwith the Lord shal smite it because it shal be fearefully destroyed except they repent Oh wherefore hath the Lorde done thus vnto this lande and ver 24. and ver 25. how feirce is this great wrath And it shal be answered because they haue forsaken the couenant of the Lord God of their Fathers and haue sinned againste the Lorde Let vs al then my deare brethren be humbled with Godly sorrow that may cause repentaunce vnto saluation not to be repented of Being offended with our selues that we haue not sooner and more earnestly inquyred after Christ praying the Lorde to beautifie his Garden and Churche of this land with such sweet flowers as he may please him selfe in vs and we may grow and prosper in al fruites of the spirit I can not finish this chapiter to daye because of time and the matter of the conclusion though in few words yet includeth very comfortable and heuenly matter which cannot in a few words be vttered I wil therfore defer it til to morrow when by Gods grace I shal finish the whole Now the Lord our good God sanctifie our hearts to conceiue the excellencye and féele the sweetnesse of the wordes of the mouth of Christ Iesus that we being our selues purged and sanctified by his word and truth may carefully labour that others with vs may truely be affected towards him that we may ioyn togeather in seeking of Christ so as in the ende finding him in his worde and Sacramentes and feeling of him by his spirite our soules and bodies may become cleane and well tilled Gardens beautified with al heaueÌ„ly fruits of his spirite as that Christ may haue pleasure to walke in vs to dwell and make his abode in vs vnto the ende and in the ende we also may be receiued with him into his heauenly Garden of eternal ioye to dwell continue and abide with him in the company of al the glorious Angels and fellowship of the heauenly saintes in the presence of God his Father for euer and euer Amen Let vs pray c. The fift Sermon or lecture YEsterday we heard beloued a part of the description of Christ concerning his spéech and swéet thing of his mouth with the excellency of his doctrine also the second question of the maydens concerning the place where he vsed with the aunswere betweene which was interlined what fruit came by this conference and how the Godly at Ierusalem were kyndled with loue to Christ by the example of the Spouse whereby she answereth to her companions making them priuy to the place of his abode shewing how the church is his Garden and that he delighteth to be conuersant there yea the soule of euerye
faithfull man is a Garden inclosed where Christ looketh for fruite and commeth down thither by his spirite gathering the fruites of obedience sanctimony praise thanks giuing Nowe wee haue the conclusion of the whole remayning to bee spoken of verse 19. I am my beloueds and my beloued is mine who feedeth among the Lillies Thirdly the conclusion This is the thirde parte in generall of the maner of the comming on of the spouse or of her obeying of her calling and admitting of the suit of her louer which I noted to be the second part of the chapiter For after the suit of her husband wherof you haue heard verse 1. and 2. her manner of comming on in beeing incumbred with lets at the first yet ouer striding them and recouering her zeal breaking foorth into a noble and famous description of her louer wherby she affecteth her companions greatly towardes him now in a triumphing maner incouraging others by her example she concludeth with an Epiphonema and finitiue sentence or determination assuring her selfe to bee one with her loue and maketh vp the match in her hearte with Christ Iesus purposing to holde out in faithfull loue to the ende towardes him Perswading also her owne hearte of his faithfull permanent and eternal loue towardes her So that we will consider in this laste clause and sentence as the vpshot of the whole matter Two things in the conclusion First the holye societie communion coniunction and vnitie that is betweene Christ and his Church ioyned with an indissoluble bande and knot Secondly the perseueraunce also the constant permanent and certaine estate of the Godlye and elect whereby they stand assured of the eternal loue of Christe Iesus towardes them First the vnitye between christ and his Church and of their owne saluation in him First therefore concerning the comfortable vnitie and coniunction of Christ with his Church We see that it is described vnto vs by many similitudes in the scriptures wherein most liuely effectually and coÌ„fortably that holy spiritual and sacred society wherby we are incorporate into Christe is discouered As in the 15. Chapiter of the Euangelist Saint Iohn our sauiour Christe vnder the parable of a Vine and the branches sheweth the mutual loue betweene him and his members as also the sweet coniunction whereby they are necessarily ioyned togeather that the life of the one standeth not without the life of the other and the perfection of the one is not without the perfection of the other For Christe hath inseperably ioyned all the faithful vnto him selfe so as without them hee counteth him selfe as it were vnperfect Therefore Paul Ephes 1.23 after hee had magnified the grace of God towarde the elect and highly commended the excellency of Christe Iesus whome God had made the head of his Church he concludeth that the Church as it is the body of Christ so it is his fulnesse As if he should say in that God the Father hath ordayned his Sonne to bee the heade of his Church euen as the head without the body is not full but vnperfect and the body wanting any member is not in al parts complete so with out the number of his saintes which shold fulfil the mistical body of Christ euen Christe him selfe is after a sort vnperfect Not that hee is so in him selfe for he is in his owne nature full infinite and perfect admitting neither maius nor minus But this is the riches of his grace that he â—ath so vnited euery one of his saints and elect vnto him as he can not want any one of them The force of this speech is wonderful to him that hath the eyes of faith and exceedingly comfortable to the troubled conscience which hath once in trueth tasted of the mercies and grace of God in whome also the worke of faith hath béen truely begun though it be sometime in a dampe and as it were smoothered vp yea it can not but rauishe them to see that Christ cannot want nor cut of any member that hee hath once begun to graft into him self But as the Vines and such like plantes euery braunch thereof receiueth iuyce moysture life and nourishment from the stocke and root hath also a necessary communitie with the stocke in all thinges so as from the stocke or root is conueyed life and nourishment to euery braunch so euery faithful person which is in Christ receiue from him al necessary iuyce and supplement to the nourishing and preseruing of a spiritual life in them Though sometime some of the braunches hang the head but yet they which are planted of the heauenly Father shal neuer be cut off but shal haue life eternal with Christ Iesus This thing also is set foorth vnto vs in the simile of a body euen of the head and the members Therefore as I sayd Christ is called the head of the Churche Ephes 1.22 Col. 1.18 For there is a mutual analogie and proportion betwetne the head and the members and Christ his Church Wherfore the whole Churche considered in Christ and his members is called not only a body but also it is called by the name of Christ 1. Cor. 12.12 So as there is a necessary vnitie betweene Christ and his members wherby they are made one therefore followeth in the 13. verse of that Chapter that by one spirite we are al baptized into one bodye whether Iewes or Gentiles bonde or free Wherein the holye and swéete Communion betweene Christe and his members is layde foorth so as verse 27. hee concludeth nowe you are the body of Christ members for your part noting that they alone without other churches were not the bodye of Christ but they with al other shold be associate to the church in al times and places Furthermore certain it is that as the body can not bee absolutely perfect if it want any euen the least member so Christe counteth not himselfe perfect til he hath euery one of his meÌ„bers namely the beléeuers vnited vnto him And this body of Christ which is the Church receiueth life from him yea euery meÌ„ber is nourished kept maintained by one the same spirit which being derided from Christ spreadeth it selfe by equall measure according to the proportion of fayth into euery beleeuer So as the spirite of God is as it were the soule of the Church whereby euery member receiueth of the fulnes of Christ being quickened by him liuing by a common life with Christ whereby they are assured that they are one with him and haue life in him So as Paul Gal. 2.20 testifieth that when he was in Christe he liued not but Christ liued in him And albeit the members of Christ haue not alwayes a like feeling of life in them selues but somtime they seeme to be benumbed and a colde as it were hauinge no nimblenesse or agilitye in them selues yea as it were a sleepe and voyd of feeling so as they scantly can haue comfort that they are of the body of Christ
the assuraunce of the grace of perseueraunce or certaintie of saluation vnlesse we looke vpon the head spring of Gods mercyes in Christe Iesus with the eyes of faith and sobernesse also vnlesse we haue the testimony and earnest peny of the spirite of God whereby we are sealed against the day of redemption For if any man haue not the spirite of Christ he is not his Rom. 8 verse 9. Ephes 1.13.14 Rom. 8.14 Gal. 4.6 Of the other side They that are led by the spirite they are the sonnes of God sith God hath sent foorth the spirite of his sonne into their heartes which cryeth Abba Father Which as Paule sayth in the eight of the Romans beareth witnes with our spirit that we are the children of God Rom. 8.16 if we bee children then heirs also of God and annexed heirs with Christe Hitherto agreeth that sentence of Iohn in his first epistle chapter 4.13 1. Ioh. 4.13 Hereby we knowe that wee dwel in God and God in vs in that he hath giuen vs of his spirit Yet it may be some man wil reply how shal I know that I haue the spirite of God and Christ I aunswere that by the fruites of the spirite of sanctification wee may haue good comfort and perswasion that wee haue the spirite of God Paul in his Epistle to the Romans chap. 8. If Christ be in you the body is dead concerning sinn Rom. 8.10.11 but the spirite is life for righteousnes sake If the spirit of him that raysed vp Iesus from the dead dwelleth in you be that raysed vp Christ from the dead shal also quicken your mortal bodies for his spirite that dwelleâ—h in you Where the Apostle sheweth that Gods spirite worketh mortification in his saints renuing them to a new life purging dayly the corruptions of sinne and remnant of iniquity which by degrees diminish in the saints Whosoeuer therefore tasteth of true mortification and sanctification hating sinne in truth labouring to reforme the same desiring to growe in holinesse and a new life applying his heart to be gouerned by the worde in obedience though he taste of the remnauntes of sinne which wil neuer be fully purged in the saints til they are restored fully in the appearing of Christ Iesus in that person vndoubtedly the spirite of God beginneth to haue a worke and to incorporate that person into himselfe that he may be one with Christe and may put on Christ Many circumstaunces there are which time wil not suffer me to note vnto you concerning this matter But sure it is that these are generall and infallible notes which I haue mentioned whereby a man may be perswaded these being in him in trueth though vnperfect that hee shal neuer fal vtterly away labouring to shew forth the fruite of faith hope patience obedience loue to the worde towardes his brethren a care to keepe the worde beeing prepared or vnfainedly desiring to â—e prepared to be parteners with the saintes of God in affliction and in the confirmation of the Gospell â—â—m 8.17 suffering with Christ that we may also be glorified with him for these fruits caused Paule to affirme as I noted before that he was perswaded of the Phillipians that God woulde perfite that good worke that he had begun in them euen to the daye of Iesus Christe Now if this worke of perseuerance were our own we might iustly suspect that we could neuer be saued or if God hauing begun in vs should after leaue vs to our selues to finishe vp our owne saluation then wee might well doubt of lyfe But sith God which is a perfect workeman beginneth who leaueth nothing that he taketh in hand vnfinished to worke grace faith sanctification obedience loue and mortification in vs though they are not perfect and absolute in vs he can not but finish his owne worke and perfite his saints Hereof Dauid boldly confidently and comfortably insulting vpon and triumphing against all troubles and afflictions Psa 138.8 concludeth with full assurance That the Lord will performe his worke towards him Adding a reasoÌ„ because His mercies endured for euer And yet he ascribeth the worke of perseuerance vnto God ending with this suite O Lord forsake not the worke of thy handes Charging the Lorde that he was his worke in that he had framed him a new by his spirite therefore it could not stand with the Lordes mercy to cast him off Oh valiant faith in the seruant of God Thus God euer perfiteth his worke in anye one that belong vnto him but the time of his working and the mesure he reserueth to him selfe to appoint at his pleasure So that though we feele not his quickning grace when we desire it nay sometime it seemeth to be furthest off when we craue it and neede it most also though wee haue not that measure of his grace which we woulde haue yet let vs not faynt but waite on the Lorde with Patience and prayer for certainelye except the Lorde will deny him selfe I speake with reuerence of his glorious maiesty he can not but giue to him that hath â—â—th 13.12 and he shal haue aboundantly yet he can not but make an ende in his seruaunts when he hath once begun Not that God is tyed to vs at our commaundement But ipsemet sibi est necessitas He is a necessity to him selfe for his mercies are eternal But this I haue sufficiently prooued afore Yet in a worde note this that God hath tyed his power to his will and promise that whatsoeuer he willeth and promiseth in his worde hee can not chuse but doe it Whatsoeuer he hath denyed that he doth not In this sense God sayth Gen. 19.22 That be can doe nothing to Sodom before Lot was departed But to returne to the Spouse againe though shee doth not fully in this speech set downe the reasons that might perswade her of this certainty yet if we consider all the former circumstaunces of her comming on or obaying of her calling we shal finde worthye fruites which she felt in her selfe and expressed that might yeeld some argument of this certaine perswasion As this her heart lying after Christe in the beginning of her calling thogh many lets mette with her also the complayning of her vntowardnesse which bewrayed a sight of her wants Furthermore her trembling at his displeasure or fearing at his word being affectioned towardes him Finally her seeking and inquyring after him euen when daunger was her zeale in following him not onely when others forsooke her but euen when many sought to hinder and molest her Thus recouering her zeale she procured others by conferring of the excellency of Christ to be parteners with her in seeking after him Which al were worthy fruits of faith that might giue her comforte to conclude that shee was her welbeloueds Thus euery man must labour to come to some assuraunce of his future estate that we may not liue alwayes to doubt but that we may bee ready to passe in peace at our
Religion And therefore if the church reuerenced highly accounted of such if the godly teachers of the church commended such and gratifyed them by wryting of some such duety as the Apostle IOHN did the elect Lady and HIEROM 2. Ioh. 1. that vertuous Lady LETA GAVDENTIA to incourage them in the truth to shew their thankfulnes for them vnto God why may not we in our times likewise gratify our noble worthy personages with some such duty to shew forth our thankfulnes and reuerence towardes them as also to minister occasion by such means as we can of further proceeding in all religious and godly wayes with zeal to aduance gods glory in his church For we should all step out for the defence and aduancement of Gods gospell glory For the true honor of al men standeth in this chiefly that they imbrace the word which is the wisdome of God sith without religion there is no true honour Therfore Prou. 8 VVisdome layeth claime to all the honor kingdom of princes Pro. 8.15.16.18 as without whom they wanted al true honor Yea she challengeth to her selfe al true wisdome councel vnderstanding strength and honour c. Also els where SOLOMON a prince of greatest honoâ—â— wisdome setteth down plainly Pro 4.8 ver 14. that they which imbrace wisdome shal haue great honor they which exalt her shal be exalted theÌ„ selues For God crowneth them with honour which honour his word But strippeth al such naked of honor renoum before him which do not honor his word Therefore the gouernours of Israel were charged to be alwayes conuersant in the booke of the law day night that they might learne to feare the lord their God Deu. 17.19 adding a great reason that by such meanes they should prouide for their own safety and for the good estate of their posteritie Verse 20. Yea it was promised to DAVID as a speciall prerogatiue that so long as hee helde the Lord to be his Father and made him his God by trusting in him and imbracing the testimonies of his word Psa 89.26 ver 28.29 that the Lorde would not fayle him but establishe his couenaunt with him yea and with his seede for euermore So that such as set their delight in the word of God carry with them store of blessinges from the Lord both for them selues and for their posterity And we see that the Lorde doth not otherwise promise to prosper the affayres of men then as they are carefull to know his will in his word Hereof it was that the Lorde promised the lyke successe vnto IOSHVA For after he had incouraged him to obey his worde Iosh 1.7 ver 8. shewing that therein stoode all true prosperity he addeth this exhortation Let not this booke of the Lawe depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that thou mayest obserue and doe according to all that is wrytten therin then shalt thou make thy way prosperous and then shalt thou haue good successe For the Lorde knew that sith IOSHVA stood in great perill of temptation euery way by the reason of the waightynesse of his calling and dignity therefore also he sheweth that hee had greatest neede of the meanes to vnderstay himselfe and to be acquainted with the Lordes priuy Councell reuealed in his worde to direct him in all his actions So DAVID made the worde of God his Councellers Psa 119.24 without whom he woulde doe nothing For he knew that it behoueth such to imploy their honour glory estimation riches and credite as handmaydes to further Gods glory And then no doubt they are to expect greate blessinges from the Lorde with immortall prayse and euerlasting honour with Christ Iesus I doubt not therefore right honourable but all these blessinges shall be accomplished vpon you as also vpon your posterity sith you loue and imbrace the religion of the true God and the truth of his worde who will not see you want that honour that he hath promised to his most excellent Saintes And now here I present vnto your Honour this poore Tallent of myne which may it please you to accept at my hand as of one that wisheth all happynesse vnto you and yours in the Lorde humbly crauing that your fauourable wisedome would supply the wants of this thing and that this so simple a gift as it is may be accepted of you rather for my good meaning in the thing and the ende wherefore I doe it then for the vallue of the thing it selfe Doing your honour to vnderstande that you are not to expect any flourishing speeches garnished with Rhetoricall flowers and figures or any cunning sleightes of mans wisedome or paynted eloquence with affected wordes but hauing an eye to the matter and not to the maner to expect a simple and plaine handling of that which is intreated off For my desire is not to be seen in the heighth and intricate questions of mans wisedome but in the basenesse and simplycity of the Gospell that it may appeare in the power thereof Thus right honourable surceasing from adding any further wordes of discourse and remayning ready to vndergoe all lawfull duetyes towardes your honour which God any maner of wayes shall inable me to doe I humbly commit your honourable Lordship with the right honourable that vertuous Lady the Countesse your wyfe euen to our good and mercifull God who euermore preserue you and yours in al blessed safety both of body and soule be present with you gouerne and guyde you by his gratious spirite and heape vpon you all heauenly blessings and shew forth the riches of his grace vppon you that you may holde out with all constancy in his truth vnto the ende so as you glorifying him in this lyfe may be receiued vnto eternal glory and felicity with him in the lyfe to come through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Your honors humble to command in the Lord Bartimaeus Andrewes To the Christian Reader IT was not in vaine Christian reader that the ancient fathers of the Church worthy and Godly wryters vsed alwayes preuentions in some preface or Epistle before their workes to reclaime their writinges from suspition and reproch in so much as the Church of God neuer wanted enuious malicious and captious aduersaries who with their slaunderous tongues and dispightfull lawes sought to teare in pieces or by Zoylous vpbraydings to blemishe or by reprochfull speeches and lyspings to cancell the credite of whatsoeuer was godly wisely carefully and to good purpose penned downe by them These times yeelde occasion of no lesse suspition of like intertainment to be giuen to good thinges written for the comfort and help of the simple and ignorant especially wheÌ„ they are to proceede from so vnworthy an instrument and so vnskilfull an indictor as my selfe when the writings and workes of so famous godly men haue gone before as great torchelights or as the Sunne at noone dayes and I to come after in so
watchmen for the people because they abused their office For many ambitious men creeping into the seate of the Church were ashamed of the humilitye of Christ Which al thinges are truely verefied in the Romish Church where the Pope challengeth to be Oecumenical and vniuersal Bishop of the whole Churche and so is noysome to all churches And woulde to God this noysomnesse had onely kept it selfe at home in Rome had not also infected some Christian Churches But such is the misery of our times thorough sinne as we can witnesse of manye troublesome watchmen which count them selues so in the Church of God in many places Yea the noysomnes of that Romishe crew hath sore annoyed the Churches beyond the seas and ceaseth not to trouble and vex our Church of this lande by sending out their Seminary Papists and scattering abroade that Viperous brood of the Iesuites which greatly molest our Church and land through their seditious and traiterous practizes that they might bring the spouse eueÌ„ the church of England in bondage againe to that daungerous whatchman the Pope which I hope shall neuer be For hee ceaseth not to smite and wounde where soeuer hee can reach and to disturbe the true Spouse of Christe Iesus For he playeth the roynish ruffler with the Spouse where soeuer he becommeth and all his complices and adhearentes are troublesome watchmen and smiters Furthermore there are some other which for want of warrines smite the sincere professors and their fellow brethren wounding them either with doctrine misapplied as Ezek 13. or with complaining of them as Amaziah did of Amos. Amos. 7. Or by open reproch or some such kind of Ishmaeliticall persecution Othersome as the Brownists if I may so terme theÌ„ they smite all spare none yea the carefullest Preachers are most charged of theÌ„ as reuolters c. they seeke after a sort the subuersion of the whole state Finally many vngratious men of a filthy life and seruile nature which pretend som better shew for the time seeke to occupy the roomes of the Church which are manye times sooner admitted a room I know not by what negligence and grosse ouersight then they which are careful to discharge a conscience in that calling But would to God that they in whose handes it is to reforme would bend themselues to root out such loytering idle and loose men out of the Church But thus the vanitie which SolomoÌ„ noted in the world is to be séen Folly is set in great excellency and the rich set in the law place I haue seene seruants on horsebacke and Princes walking as seruants on the ground Ecc. 10.6 For many vile and vnworthy persons as I said are crept I know not by what ouersight into the Church liuinges Ruffians gamesters fornicators idolaters popish prelates idol ministers as Esay speaketh domb dogges belly Gods Isai 59.10.11 2. Pet. 2.13.14.17 louers of filthy lucre wels with out water empty cloudes wandring stars c. also sectuaries Famelists or Louists many other vnworthy persoÌ„s are set on horseback when many worthy meÌ„ for their learning Godlinesse grauity yea as Solomon calleth them princes are fayn to go on foote like seruauntes For so many blinde Dolts of the Country Ploughmen and artificers thorough Symmony and corruption steale into the liuinges of the Church that the learned and meete persons in the Vniuersitie which shold be called foorth are fayn to be without place Which happeneth partly by default of Patrons which make not conscience of the Lordes people partly by other corruptions but howsoeuer it be the poore soules of the people are in extreame hazard thereby and the people for the moste part see not their owne misery and therefore pitty not themselues nor vse any prayer to the Lord in such causes wherein lyeth the cheefest daunger of soules so as both people and ministers in many places conspire to murther and spoyle their own fouls For if they may haue an honest quiet man as they term him and a good fellow they are best with such a one though he hath no graces from the Lord méet for that honourable and high ambassage which is a lamentable case And the Lorde punisheth the neglect contempt of oure times with the iust plague of the famine of their soules in some place As Hoshea mentioneth chap. 9. ver 7.8.9 The dayes of recompence are come Israel shall know it The prophet is a fool the spiritual man is mad for the multitude of thine iniquity therefore the hatred is great The watchmen of Ephraim shoulde bee with my God but the Prophet is the snare of a fowler in all his wais hatred in the house of his God So that they exercised hatred in the Church bringing such as desire to be taught in to coÌ„tempt to be wondred at as Owls in the day time being made a sign to nod the head at euery man hath a pul at theÌ„ raising vp scornful reproches lies troubles vexations against the godly Esay 8.18 yea they lift them vp on the scaffolds of the worlde as monsters among men to be displaied and laide foorth to contempt as Esay in his time complayneth I and the children whom thou hast giuen me are as signes and wonders in Israel by the Lorde of Hostes which dwelletb in mâ—â—nt Sion Of the one side diuers harsh spirites vnder the pretence of zeale for the reformation of the Church which all the godly hartily wish for and procure in their callings what they may they doe sore assault the Church and the tender consciences of such simple ones as they can preuail with rashly condemning all thinges and seeking soule good thing after an vngodly and vnlawfull manner as the Brownists and such like which labour to alienate the mindes of men from their teachers and from the worde and Sacramentes in the Churche of this Lande because of their priuate dislikings whome I would wish to learne more modesty I speake not to discredite any but to wish men to be wise and stayed in their zeal without rashnesse But thus the saintes of God are tryed by diuers means and haue many repulses in their comming on and by these means some that shold be the watchmen smite the spouse and pull of her vaile playing the rufflers with her Which as it is not without the Lordes witting but by his prouidence so it shal be reuenged vpon them by the same God when he shal take the cause of his church into his hand here we sée then that the church somtime findeth greatest lets and hurts at their hands who should chiefly preferre the cause of the church yet these watchmen they go about the city to visit but to what end they are painful as many now a daies can haue nimble eies to spy out the best forwardest not to further theÌ„ but to hinder them Now let vs sée what the spouse doth in these lets afflictions she groweth not blockish neither waite on other to doe
and loose ministery I say therefore againe intreat the ministers of your parrishes and call vppon them yea charge them but reuerently in the feare of God with an humble spirite that they haue care of you to fulfil the ministery inioyned them of the high God vpon paine of his displesure and as they wil aunswere before God for you and your families in the dreadful day of iudgement when they shall giue an account for your soules Heb. 13.17 Oh it shaketh my trembling ioyntes and dissolueth my sinnewes with feare to thinke what woofull euydence shall bee brought in againste the carelesse ministery by the Soules of their charge which perishe for want of instruction when they shall stande vp in plea againste them to testifie vppon their heads saying Ah alas we neuer receiued instruction by our Pastors we maye thanke them in part of our damnable destruction which haue not sought to bring vs vnto God nor taught vs the way of truth nor laboured to turne vs from our sinnes being without knowledg themselues kept vs in ignorance and blindnes flattering vs in our sins But now wo alas Hosh â— 6 we perish because we had not the knowledge of God Me thinkes I see the woeful wringing of handes the trickling teares distilling from their eyes the condemning of themselues by speechlesse silence their heads hanging downe and the diereful dent of doleful death to cease vpon them Yea me thinkes I heare their shiftles shifts their shouting shrames crying out of their damnable estate For what shiftes can they haue before the alseeing and iust iudge of all the world Shal pretence of lawes excuse them if they can say I haue read seruice to them and the common booke of Prayer and done al that law require For herewith they thinke they haue stopped mens mouthes But they slander the lawes of our Prince which require as I suppose most of those gifts in the ministers that should be admitted which Paule mentioneth to Titus Howsoeuer it be ouerseen of those that haue admitted such but lawes of men countenance of Magistrates nor the example of others shal not bear vs out in the glorious and fearefull presence of the great God who shal sit as sole iudge ouer al persons and causes But if thou hast not fedde the Lordes people and preached the Gospel thogh to read the worde is good to read the booke of common Prayer is good yet thou shalt not be excused sith it pleased the Lorde not simply by his word but Through preaching to saue them that beleeue As the publique ordinary means in his Church Yea and the lawes of the realme require such to be admitted as are able to teach 1. Cor. 1.21 2. Tim. 4.1.2 And Paule giueth a precise charge to Timothie to preach the word But some man wil say that I wander from my text to speak thus much of the dumbe and carelesse Ministers I swerue not from it at al. For if the Spouse straitely chargeth them of Ierusalem where God was to be inquired after in his worde to further her to her loue then is it necessarie that the neglect of this duetie in the Pastors which chiefly should helpe that way shoulde be found fault with al especially where their owne daunger is greatest for we know how the Lorde hath threatned such in the law I speake not this of the ministerie that men shoulde insult vppon the same with reproch for our owne loosenesse haue made vs reprochful ynough to the worlde but rather that men shoulde praye for the state hereof the more carefully beeing so deformed Neither doe I speake to whette the tongues of men for it is their glorie to deface the ministerie neyther yet of sinister affection againste anye as the Lorde knoweth But I speake from a heart pitying the estate therof That if it might please God the loose ministerie may see their danger and so be mooued to reforme them selues with grace God grant them Amen And I speake the more of that state now because many are here present of that calling This title of Daughters as it is a Metaphorical speech borrowed from the fellowship of Virgins before their marriage and in the time of their suit as Psalm 45.14 may appeare so also this name of Virgins in the ninth Chapter of the Prouerbes signifieth the Preachers of the worde Prou. 9.2 as Prophetes Apostles c. where wisedome sendeth out her Maidens to call men to her heauenly and riche banquet so the Daughters of Ierusalem may not improperly signifie the teachers in this place For their lips shoulde preserue knowledge and the people shoulde inquire the lawe at their mouthes as the prophet Malachi saith Mal. 2.7 adding also a strong reason to mooue the people to inquire and the pastor to teach because he is the mâ—ssenger of the Lord of Hosts Now shal we think that the Lorde will send vnfit messengers blind men and babes of his ambassage or errande that shall not speake foorth their message Will Princes wisely prouide to send wise and learned men on their ambassage And shal we deny the Lord his wisdome and foresight but we thinke anye good ynough for the Lords errand But al such as they run before they are sent so the Lorde sendeth them in his iustice to punishe the sins of men as we heard before Hosh 9.7.8 Now followeth If yee finde my welbeloued tell him I am sicke of loue The like diligent inquiry after Christ the Spouse maketh Canticles 3.1.2 Read it I pray you where she maketh streight search as for a thing of high price So that she desireth after Christ so much the more how much the more she was beaten backe of others yea she euer languisheth after Christ contemning all other things in respect of him As Paule counted all thinges vile dung in comparison of Christ Iesus These are all speeches of loue she woulde haue the Godly specially the teachers to commend her in their prayers vnto God This speech I am sicke of loue is to discouer the heart and loue of the faythfull towardes Christ that they cannot tell how to loue him ynough The worldly men neuer trouble themselues with this loue neither pine of this heauenlye and spirituall loue sicknesses It is rather sicknesse to the earthly minded men to hear of this loue or to be required to loue the Lord againe But they are meruellous fain of the worlde which is an euil sicknesse as Solomon sayth Well let vs my deare brethren laboure to affect our hearts more with Christ Iesus casting of al lets to studie of his loue and require of all the Godlye and of the faithfull Pastors that they woulde further vs in this loue The Spouse seemeth to be impudent here to spread abroade her loue towardes her Sutor For our louers are ashamed to haue it knowne that they are sicke of loue so also the worlde is ashamed to be sick of loue for Christ Iesus but the Spouse openly confesseth and bewrayeth
with good thinges by the fruit of his mouth also the tongue of the wise men is health yea the instruction of a wise or Godly man is as the well spring of lyfe to turne away from the snares of death and the lyps of the wise preserue them Many such commendations are of the spirite of a Godly speech proceeding from good men Now if God hath sanctified his doctrin in the mouth of his seruaunts to be healthfull euen to the soule how sweet comfortable healthful and happy are the speeches of Christ Iesus and how shoulde we imbrace and loue the doctrine of the Gospel which he hath by his owne mouth in his owne person begun to preach and confirmeth the same vnto vs Heb. 1.2 2 3. by his ministers and faythfull teachers It standeth vs in hand therefore to examin what sweetnes we find in the word of Christ Iesus and how our soules are taken vp with the delight of it so as we set our felicity in the worde that it be not wormewood vnto vs as it is vnto most men In deed true it is the wicked reprobates worldlinges ruffians dispisers of the word preached and such others think the Gospel to be suger to them imagining they haue good tast of it Oh say they God is merciful a sweet figgy God who forgiueth sinnes freely for Christs sake he sayth Come to me al you that labour c. I will ease you and Iesus Christ came into the world to saue sinners Math. 11.28 1. Tim. 1.15 c. These and such like sweete fragmentes prophane worldlinges and others snatche to them selues supposing and imagining that they haue greate sweetenesse by them the adulterer drunkard belly god and carnal man can saye Christe came to dye for sinners and we hope to bee saued by him c. But alas poore soules their sweetnesse shal be turned to wormewood their pleasaunt taste into gal and bitternesse It is no sweete taste of Christes doctrine when wee flatter our selues in sinne and yet hope to escape vnpunnished because Christe is merciful No no thou deceiuest thy selfe because thou delightest stil in euil which is bitter and bringeth damnable agues thou louest the spéeches of mercy and remission of sins but the iudgements of god they are very vnsauory thou hast no tast nor vse of them to humble thy self before God and to feare him forsaking thy sinnes But all doctrine that maketh against thy sinnes and pleasures thou suspectest and arte shie of as of poyson Now whosoeuer tasteth of true sweetnesse in the worde can not but like of the iudgementes of God which is a part of his word as wel as of his mercies to fear the one and loue the other For it is an essential properly in God to be a iudge to consound the wicked to correct rebuke his saints as wel as to be merciful Now to whō soeuer gods mercy seemeth swéet not his iudgements because god is author of both he is with out all question voyde of true taste of God and his worde Dauid prayed O Lorde teach me thy iudgements And surely this publique out cry of men wherby they sue al for the Gospell the Gospel giue vs the Gospel preach not the lawe to vs it bewrayeth both a maruailous ignoraunce in men as though the doctrine and ende of the lawe and Gospel were vtter contraryes and were not al one in effect though diuersly reuealed therewithall it discouereth a priuy euidence in the heartes of men against their owne soules that they neuer were truely humbled in the sight of them selues neither tasted of Christ aright how soeuer they wrangle and seeke shyftes in their owne imaginations More then this they vomite out afore they are aware a haynous reproche againste God as though they woulde set the Lorde to schoole and Catechise him a new For though they seeme to insult vppon men charging that they which preach the lawe and iudgementes are blacke preachers and blacke Rauens come from hell as I am sory that such odious wordes can bee witnessed to proceede from the mouths of such as challenge to them felues the title of learning and reuerence for theire iudgement yet notwithstāding their blows and reproches reach euen to the Lord insomuch as the Lorde framing the hearts and mouthes of his faithfull teachers dothe speake by them I will not stande to prooue the lawfulnes nay the necessity of the preaching of the lawe when our times abounde with sinne and wantonnesse is couered vnder the title of the Gospell yea when the godly themselues greatlye neede to bee humbled for I suppose that any man of wisedome or meane vnderstanding in the worde specially if he be truly humbled would blush to gainesaye this thing But let vs knowe my deare brethren that the sweetenes of Christes worde whether teaching repentance and a newe life promising eternall life to the beleeuers or threatning the curse of God to the disobedient and vnsanctified is sweete and comfortable to all that are truely in loue with Christ Iesus and worketh in them a care to apply Gods iudgements to themselues to humble their flesh by them stirring thē selues vp to reformation forsaking sin also it worketh in them a care to seale vp the assuraunce of the Lordes mercye towards them in that they feel the effect of the word conuerting their harts from sinn vnto the liuing God for the most part men estéem of the mouth of Christ as ful of sharp bitter and loath som things because they contemn or neglect the preaching of the gospel thinking it a thing superfluous so they commend not of the sweetnes of his doctrin when in the meane time the seruants of God which with a carefull conscience frequent sermons with a gréedye desire hear the word they gaine so much good receiue such swéetnesse from the mouth of Christ Iesus euen the preachers which are his mouth as they with hopping hearts return to their wiues families or neighbors so filled with the pleasāt things of his mouth that they say Oh what a sweet sermō haue we heard to day oh how my hart is ioyed in this heauenly and sweete tasting doctrine of Christe Iesus thus they make report as the Spouse doth here what comfort they haue by Christ that they may also affect others For they that truely are in loue with Christ Iesus can not but highly accounte of the wordes of his mouth But the cause why the worde is not sauouring to so many men is for that they delight in euill wherebye men growe to so grosse a contempt as they commaund in effect the prophets not to prophesy But as the Lorde replieth agaynste the contemners Mic. 2.7 Are not my words good to him that walketh vprightly So then if all the doctrine of Christ who is authour as well of the lawe as of the Gospell bee not sweete and pleasant to vs it is because we make not conscience to walke vprightly before oure God For men will not
yet this hindreth not but that they are ioined still to theire heade sith it is as impossible that any member that is truelye grafted into Christe shoulde perishe bee cut or wante lyfe as it is impossible that Christe him selfe shoulde wante life I speake this in the respecte of the free grace of God communicating lyfe vnto vs in Christe also for the comfort of such poore soules as beeing graffed into Christe by faith hauing also felt of the power of his death and resurrection in truth in that they are refourmed from their former wayes and desire to please God in holinesse yet in the present feeling of their miseries and imperfections can not haue comfort but lye as poore members wounded and panting for life for the time when yet life is not vtterly out of them As for the bold and presumptuous sinner or libertine as he neuer tasted of the life which is in Christ by mortification and sanctification so he hath no warrant yet that hee is of Christ and therefore I can not assure any such of the certainty of that life This vnity and coniunction is also figured vnto vs in the simile of a building or house For we are all lyuely stones of a spiritual building couched and layd vpon Christ Iesus the foundation and corner stone of the building As 1. Pet. 2.4.5 So that as many stones couched and placed together in order do make one building euen so Christ and his members become one spiritual house Also as as the breade and wine receiued into our bodies become one with our nature and substaunce so Christe and his members become one and are as it were incorporate togeather They therfore which by faith receiue Christe Iesus in the Sacramentes applying him with all his riches and mercies vnto them selues may conclude with the spouse I am my beloueds and my beloued is mine c. But this spirituall societie and coniunction is most liuely naturally and comfortably portraitured out vnto vs in the vnion and fellowshippe which is betweene man and wife as the Apostle Paule doth worthely mention in the fift chapiter of his Epistle to the Ephesians verse 30. affirming that we are members of Christes body of his fleshe and of his bones And what more nearer societie of life is there then that which is betweene man and wife who of two are made one fleshe haue al thinges common are a like intiteled to all commoidties and riches the one hath a right vnto the other that they are sequestred from all other to haue and retayne a perfect and continuall society in them selues The societye of Parentes and children is great of masters and seruaunts as part of a houshold the society also of brethren and kindred But this exceedeth all other yea it is preferred aboue all other Societyes as moste comfortable neere secrete and continuall But such is the infinite loue of God towards vs that he hath not onely affianced vs to his Sonne as friendes and brethren but euen made vs one with him and he with vs. Oh Heauenly holye comfortable and moste sweet fellowship No maruell then though the Spouse here so cheerefullye and confidentlye affirmeth that shee is her beloueds and her beloued is hers wherein shee doth not onely ioy that she is one with her beloued but also aduoucheth her faith to him warranting her selfe of all his rich Heauenlye and incomparable dowrye Thus all the beleeuers shoulde labour to assure them selues of this holye vnion and society with Christ being perswaded that not only the heauenly Saints or the excellent seruants of God which exceed others in holines knowledge and godlines or the Apostles Pastors Preachers or suche like are one in Christ and so happy but euery faithfull man and woman must be assured in some measure by the spirite of adoption that they are one with him For sometime Satan would vndermind the poore afflicted souls which are snarled in the cōscience of their own infirmityes corruptions perswading them that though the Church be one in Christ neither can be seperate frō him also the prophets apostles godly learned men or suche in whome they see greater graces far way then in them selues they easily grāt such are happy may be sure of saluation in Christe But I miserable wretch that I am saith the poore afflicted conscience humbled in the sight loathing of the corruptions remnants of sinne I am not like to them I cānot haue that ioy in Christ and in his worde which I see others haue neither can I profite in knowledge by the worde I can not pray so zealously as others doe neither can I haue that assuraunce of Gods fauour and of saluation which me thinkes other seem to haue my sinnes are greater then theirs Also I haue such vile damnable and hellishe thoughts come vpon me sometime as I thinke it is impossible the children of God shoulde be troubled with especially when I woulde ratherest prepare my selfe to heare the word reuerently or to pray faythfully Therefore I can not perswade my selfe that I am one with Christe and shal neuer be cut off from him Many such like thinges I know arise in the heartes of the Godly sometime and many such replies dispute in their thoughtes and mindes oftentimes whereby Sathan woulde faine make them weary of the meanes of their saluation and because they can not profit by them as they would and when they would therefore they suspect them selues calling their owne estate into question not hauing for the time anye comforte in this holy and comfortable societie whiche is in Christe Thus poore soules they many times are troubled with their owne shadow euen then when they striue to come neare to Christe and are in deed nearest to him some time when they thinke them selues furthest off But such is the loue of our God that he hideth it from vs that we may after be the surer of it Howbeit certaine it is if I may speake from experience in my selfe and some others whose state I haue been priuy vnto that many times such replyes afore mentioned namely that we are inferiours to other in knowledge in zeal in praier c. whereby we faint and suspect our selues and such like motions as rise vp in our selues spring partly from a secreat enuye sometime in our nature which is not seene to our selues partly of our incredulitie and of other infirmities in vs as also partly of Sathans mallice which wold discourage the godly from vsing the means wherby we may goe forward and perseuer But howsoeuer it be these motions spring of our nature the roote wherof is incredulity and want of faith yet so that such motions as hurtfull as they are yet are they not vtterly voyd of faith For a certaine sound sead of faith remayneth in the saints of God euen in these tumults and vprores of of the minde in so much as there remayneth a certaine earnest lingring in their hearts towardes Christ coueting to be assured of the truth