grace vpon grace as the following of one vertue after an other in great abundance And this is that which the Spirite alludeth vnto in Apo 22. Let him which is righteous be yet more righteous and let him which is holy be yet more holy And this tendes to the perfection of them which proceede from vertue to vertue vntill they come to bee perfect men in Christ This was obserued well in Noah the Righteous Gen. 6. who as it is testified by Moses was Righteous in perfections for so the words signifie to the which the holy Spowsesse alludeth in her shining garments Apo. 22. being interpreted by Saint Iohn to bee the Iustifications or Perfections of the Saints The second thing promised is Riches not of this worlde but of God The holy Apostle as alluding to Salomon saith that Godlinesse is great Riches Riches of Godlinesse Here is not onely Riches but great Riches and indeed Great is that Mysterie of Godlinesse hauing all the promises both of this life and of the life to come as the Apostle witnesseth The riches of this world is transitorie and vaine but this is that which being obteined is of more value then all worldly treasures the which they easily contemne that haue this Iewell in possession Therefore as worldly men seeke after the riches of the world the godly are incited and perswaded to lay vp their treasures in heauen in the which they haue and shall enioy with all Societie life light rest peace abundance of all good things securitie and eternitie Thirdly although in the former the fruite of Righteousnesse and reward of Pietie is plainely expressed yet Salomon addeth one other word to ratifie and strengthen the same Pro. 21.21 saying They which follow after Righteousnesse and mercie shall finde Honour Honour By the which he meaneth not onely that ioynt commendation of good men for some laudable vertues the fauour of God in this world honouring them which honour him Ro. 8. but also the Glory which shall be reuealed of the which as all the glorie of this world so all the afflictions of this time are not worthy as S. Paul saith neither the thing beeing of that high excellencie can we eyther speake thereof as it is nor comprehend the same in thought passing indeede as dooth that peace of God all mans vnderstanding But as the glory of Christ Iesus was extolled in that the Father manifested him in the flesh by the operation of his Spirite in his mightie workes and merits for mans saluation and as the glory of the Father appeared in those his louing mercies declared towards men in his deare sonne Iesus so doth the glory of man appeare first in this world by that it pleaseth God to declare him by his grace iustified sanctified adopted called elected and honoured in his Sonne Iesus Next in the resurrection exaltation and glorification of Iesus who hath taken on him mans nature and the same preserued and glorified hath taken seise and possession for man in the kingdome of his Father Thirdly it shall be most apparant when being set and placed on the right hand of Christ in the great iudgement wee shall not onely be commended in our labours done by faith before both Angells and men yea in the presence of the most High God but being pronounced iust and the blessed Saints of the Father we shall receiue the honour of that his most glorious kingdome prepared for vs from the beginning The fift Reason is taken from the apt comparison with the Raine 5. The comparison with the Raine by the which the former arguments are not onely confirmed but amplified The Lorde commeth to raine downe Righteousnes here Righteousnesse is likened to the Raine which commeth downe from heauen and that as for many so chiefly for these causes First for that the Raine cleanseth the aire from the corrupt vapours which rise of the earth 2. The Raine of all other waters is the sweetest in taste 3. It is more subtile and light then any other water 4. It is pure without mixtures 5. It watereth the barren earth to make it fertile 6. It giueth nourishment and comfort to the fishes in the Sea and other waters 7. It qualifieth the force of fiers 8. It makes the land tractable to the labour of the Husbandman 9. It washeth cleane the waies wherein men trauell 10. It commeth downe from aboue and not from beneath In semblable manner Righteousnesse is of that nature that it cleanseth the cogitations of men from noysome affections and studies It is the sweetest solace of a godly mans minde it easeth their consciences which thereby discharged of the burthen of sinne aspire to the heauens It is not contaminated with the fantasies of vaine persons nor the doctrines of deceiueable Heretickes It giueth moysture to our barren natures whereby wee yeeld forth fruite acceptable to the Lord. It asswageth the ardencie of mans concupiscence It perswadeth both our bodies soules to yeeld obedience both to the will and word of God It cleanseth our conuersations as whereby we may the better trauel to the harbour of health And comming downe from the Lord is of his Highnesse made vnto vs an influence of his grace and goodnesse as whereby wee be so seasoned and tempered as we remaine acceptable vnto his glory 6. The manner of bestowing it Sixtly the manner of powring downe these Graces as Raine on the Earth puts vs in minde of three principall Vertues in the Lord which bestowes them as first his large bountie secondly his fine liberalitie thirdly his exquisite wisdome His bountie is apparant in his gift his liberalitie in the abundant largenesse thereof and his wisedome in an orderly disposition The gift is of his loue his liberalitie of his abundant riches and his wisedome of his eternall prouidence He giueth and that freely without respect of any reward or any thing in man mouing him therevnto In his liberalitie hee giueth to euery man abundantly yea the very wicked are not left without the sense of his goodnesse in that he sendeth forth his Raine to fall as well on them as on his Saints The Prophets are full of Metaphors to set forth this the Lords liberalitie to men Although therfore there was a time when the Prophet Ioel threatned the disobedient with warres and troubles in the which they should bee constrained to breake vp their Plough Shares into Swordes Ioel. 3.10 whereon should follow famine and ruine in the Lords anger Yet the Prophet Isay to declare this large liberalitie of the Lord at an other time prophesied that the people should conuert their Swordes into Plough Shares and their Speares into Sythes Isa 2.4 for he would send them great plentie of fruites in the time of peace Thirdly as the Lord powres downe the Raine with an orderly dispositiō on the earth so powres he forth the effects and fruites of righteousnesse on his people after his diuine will in wisedome as
that as the weakenesse of humane abilitie and slendernesse of mans witte coulde neuer of it selfe effect any thing of the meanest request The best commencements much lesse that which is of the noblest regard so also as wisdome reason and experience teach things well begun haue commonlie like successes and that the good beginnings are taken from the diuine grace wherein the greatest actions haue bene enabled with the semblable regard This when I also well weighed I thought it a matter most vnseemelie and nolesse sinful to aduenture this present worke without holy inuocation yea much I doubted lest that without this one thing I should not only transgresse in manie things but also setting the building not on the Rock with the wise man but with the foole on the sand the waight of the walles would haue fallen to the ground and so much the sooner for that the worke now endeuoured is both exceeding great and the degree therof excellent high The waight of the matter in hand vz Pietie for behold this is that which aptly concerneth the supreme magnificency of the most princely Ladie Pietie of whose right nobilitie I perswade euery man who hath been schooled either in the knowledge of God or of himselfe hath happilie heard and with whose laudable graces whosoeuer is truely adorned is both honored with God well commended of all good men And this I am sure ye will confesse together with me when yee shall aright vnderstand both the nature and vtilitie of this Soueraigne Princesse by her plaine description but the more when ye shall be moued to entertaine and embrace the sweete influences of her glorious vertues Now Pietie Cicer. in Re. tue li. 2. Aug. epist 22. ad Macedo if ye aske mee what I vnderstand by this word I answere not only that Philostorge or louing affection whereby a man loueth honoureth râ—uerenceth gratifieth and dutifully regardeth his father mother brethren kindred Country and such as haue thereby well deserued according to the definition of the Philosophers but also that chiefly that most reuerend holy and true worship of the most high God Chris in ser De fide de lege and the true loue and right regard of dutie towards all men whose originall and fountaine the whole scriptures diuinely inspired haue drawne not from the nature wit abilitie or policie of sinfull man but from the verie spirit of truth as an influence of the highest heauens comprehended in the feare of God expressed in Faith Hope and Charitie hath his Mysterie exceeding great for vnder the same not onely God is manifested in the flesh as Paul the holie Apostle affirmeth 1. Tim. 3. but also there lye couched great safetie great wealth great vtilitie great glorie Thereof the auncient Hermes knowing the safetie protested that Lactan. li. 2. de Origine Erro cap. 16. Mia Phylake Eusebeia c. Pietie is that onely keeper or preser matrix of men for neither hath the wicked diuel nor yet Fate any maner power ouer the godly man for God deliuereth him from all euil therefore is Pietie or Godlines that one and onely good thing among men Next wee heare the Apostle to affirme that Pietie is great riches to them which are content with that which they haue thirdly he saith that this vertue is profitable to all things lastly that it hath for her end euerlasting life For in the true tenure of Pietie not only all the Creatures of God in the world but also all the treasures and rights of the kingdome of heauen are ours Therefore this is the same which beyond all other things he boldly commendeth as not only the best and most acceptable to God but the verie scope of all the holy Scriptures which are giuen to this end that men might belieue and in belieuing might haue eternall life in the name of the Sonne of God Loe such a thing haue I aduentured to haue at this time whose reuerence although I esteeme farre beyond mine abilitie and worthinesse yet vnder the feare of him who hath called me with an holy calling graunted me to knowe the secretes of this vertue and enabled me to declare his glorie in the middest of his congregation haue I so farre forth presumed yet not I but that diuine grace which worketh in mee Therefore let vs now with meeke heartes and due reuerence fall downe before his footstoole and faithfully lift vp our humble mindes vnto that heauenly Father froÌ„ whom this grace desendeth Let vs seeke him in a true faith and desire his gratious goodnes that in his diuine fauour mercy and louing affection towards vs through his sweete sonne our Sauiour he would respect our condition speede well our Plough and prosper all our godly endeuours that thereof plowing and sowing not to the flesh but to the spirit we may reape not of the flesh corruption but of the spirit life euerlasting for the high glory of his maiestie the soueraign benefit of his Church the perfect discharge of Christian dutie and the prosperitie of the elected Saints O most blessed father the God of glory A prayer for the good speed of Pieties Plough and king of all consolation we thy poore children oppressed with the intollerable burthen of sinne and scourged with miseries rod the guard of transgressions doe now here prostrate both our bodies and soules before thy foote-stoole Thou hast commanded vs to sowe for Righteousnesse Hos 10.12 and to reape according to Mercies measure to plough vp our fallow ground to seeke after thee in the happie time and to apply Pieties Plough in the true obseruation of godly dutie But alas ô father wee be so witlesse and weake as wee neither knowe how to vse the one nor are able to labour in the other nor can we be drawne from the idle market place into the happie field of the spirituall husbandry but by thy wisdome thy mercie and thy louing and gracious calling through thy most holy Messias our Sauiour For as no man commeth vnto thee but by thy Sonne so neither commeth any man to thy Sonne but whom thou drawest and thou drawest them no doubt by thy mercie Ier. 31.3 whom thou hast embraced with thine euerlasting loue Gen. 9.27 Therefore with righteous Noah wee beseech thee to perswade vs in thy mercies to enter Sichems Tabernacles Cant. 1.3 and heartily desire thee with thy holy Spowsesse to drawe vs forth after thee with a promise of our parts but assisted by thee that then wee will runne Call vs ô father effectually manure our worke without and prepare our mindes within Let it please thy good spirit to inspire our hearts thy power to enable our bodies thy grace to confirme our whole man to to thy holy will and pleasure and thy louing mercies to make vs meete for thy seruice that standing no longer ydle we may henceforth labour in thy field follow Pieties Plough and be wholy emploied in the heauenly
and good workes ye studie and learne to be employed in the Spirituall husbandrie and therin consider well what ye ought to sow and what ye ought to reape For whatsoeuer a man soweth that shall he reape Gal 6. so that whosoeuer soweth in in the flesh shall thence reape corruption but he that soweth in the spirit shall of the spirit reape life euerlasting CHAP. X. Of the Seede the Sowers and the manner of the fructification thereof THere be two kind of Seedes the one is of Impietie the other of Pietie betweene the which as also betweene the seuerall Sowers thereof there is as great a difference as betweene the East and the West The former is a seede of the wicked a seede of corruption and sinne taken from three dangerous enemies whereof the 1. is priuy the 2. domestical the 3. familiar whereof beeing by them sowen spring the pride of life the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye wherof it is in meet place hereafter plainely spoken by the which the good Seede is oftentimes annoyed in the Lords field But from hence wee are right happily disswaded by the true consideration of the true Seede of Pietie The seede of Pietie which is to be sowen for the increase of Iustice and Mercie as also by them by whom the same is to be sowen and cast forth for as much lieth in the nature of the seed so not a little in the wisedome of the Sower for as men may not gather grapes of thornes so neither finde we commonly good successe to follow the foolish or idle husbandman Semin Sunt quadam Semi◠na vtilia quaedā sterilia c. for the Seed one saith which in this I gladlie remember there be Seedes some profitable and some barraine Those barraine or vnprofitable are the words of vaine preachers as also the words of the Philosophers But those are right profitable Seedes which are neither withered nor consumed with anie vaine glory or fond curiositie And this good Seede is the Word of GOD The word of God being indeed the manifestation and expression of the Diuine Will as well touching his essence as touching his purpose and workes past present and future in the breathing of the holie Ghost by the Prophets by Iesus Christ and by his Apostles and Euangelistes powred forth from the bosome of the euerlasting Father and by his commandement not onely described in the bookes of the olde and newe Testaments but also preached and taught through the same Spirit by the ministery of his Seruāts to this end that God might be made knowne vnto men and that the man of God might be instructed and made apte for euery good worke This is that soueraigne Seed the which according to his diuers effects respects is called knowne by so manie sundry names in the holie Scriptures especiallie in the hundred nineteene Psal Psal 119. wherof there is not any one verse of an hundred threescore sixteene wherein the same is not mentioned with some praise of the sweetnes vtilitie puritie dignitie glorie eternitie and goodnes thereof It is called the Word of the Lord for that thereby the mind and will of God is expressed the speech of God in that it is pronounced and written to be heard or read to mens vnderstanding the Lawe of the Lord because the Lord hath both prouided giuen it vnto men as wherewith they be obliged and kept in the obseruance of certaine duties the Precepts of the Lord in that it forbiddeth terrifieth men from euill the Cōmandements of the Lord in that it admonisheth and perswadeth men to do good the Testimonies of the Lord because hee by his Prophets testifie the same vnto men the will of God for that thereby his will is declared his Testament in that it is confirmed commended vnto vs by the death of his Sonne the Testator his Iustice because the obseruers thereof by faith are iustified his iustifications for that the works thereof are correspondent to Iustice his Iudgementes because the contribution therof are extended by Iustice his wayes because hee dealeth and directeth men according to the same his Truthe in that all the sacred Scriptures doe aime to Christ the perfect truth and in the same are performed c. Now this word of God aswell by Christ as by the Prophets and Apostles is well likened to the Seede which the husbandman soweth in his field especiallie for two causes First in respect of the Sower The word of God likened to the Seede The sower God and his endeuour and practise theron Secondly in regard of the nature order manner of fructification of the seede being sowen There be diuers Sowers of this Seede in the Spirituall field The first most principal is the Lord God himselfe whom in regard therof Christ calleth an Husbandman For this is the same which giueth Seede to the Sower fruit therof vnto him that truely laboureth He giueth the word euen the word of life that immortall seede this he soweth this hee distributeth this hee increaseth with prosperous effect to the vse benefit of his Saints as the Prophet Dauid and Isaiah Psal Isa 55. testifie This indeed is the same without whose help whosoeuer planteth or whosoeuer watereth whether Paul or Apollo he is iust nothing profitable the which Saint Paul considering praied for the Corinthians 2. Cor 9 10. that hee which ministred Seede to the Sower would also minister bread for foode and multiplie their Seede and encrease the fruites of their Righteousnes that in all things they might be made rich vnto all bountifulnes which caused through him and other his fellow labourers in the Lords field ioy thankesgiuing to the Lord. Next although the Lord God be most able of himselfe through the Spirit to sowe this Seede in his fielde The Prophets Christ and his ministers are Sowers nor vseth at all times the meanes and ministerie of men hauing thousand thousandes of Angells readie to serue him at all times and in all places yet in his profound wisedome hath he thought good to exhibit vnto men such meanes thereto as best fitted mans nature capacitie And therfore as the good housholder or husbandman appointeth calleth and sendeth forth his seruants to labour in his field the Lord God hath chosen called and sent forth into his Church not only his holy Prophets with this soueraine Seed in the spirituall seed-lappe that is their mouthes but also his onely begotten Sonne the Lord Iesus who came forth from his Fathers bosome and in his Ministrie was named the Crier in the wildernesse who cried out saying Hearken to this ô Israel and all yee that haue eares to heare nowe heare Then after him came forth his holy Apostles and Disciples into the world who also faithfullie distributed that Seede which they had receiued beeing in the execution of their charge well likened to the voice of that Crier as was also Iohn the
reioyce not that ye were sorie but that you sorrowed to repentance for ye sorrowed godly so that in nothing ye were hurt by vs for godly sorrow causeth Repentance vnto saluation not to be repented of but the worldly sorrow causeth death Wherein also distinguishing the godly sorrow that is the Christian contrition froÌ„ that which is vngodly he sheweth the ends and fruits of eyther And truly as that medicine which draweth forth from the sick mans heart the venemous humour of his disease and prepareth him for the sweete and healing potion This godly contrition draweth out of the sinners hart the poisoÌ„ of the wicked fact and mittigateth the biting and sorrow of the conscience albeit it pierceth and woundeth the same for by this shall be made euen a soueraigne medicine to heale the wound of it owne piercing comparable therein to that ointment or plaister which made of the Spider or flie that stingeth a man shall easily heale mitigate the paine therof This is a practise vsed in the cure of the body in the which that is thoght no lesse needfull that a veine bee opened when the Phisitian perceiueth the blood infected But the sinner is throghly infected both in body and minde and so inflamed therewith that he will be soone agonized and dead indeede if his veine be not soone opened euen the Cordiall veine from whence the rankour of malice and wicked imaginations may bee drawne forth Gen 6. For the imaginations of mans heart are onely euill euery day Therefore saide the Lord Circumcise your hearts Roote your hearts Let the sinner forsake his owne imaginations This commenceth the Action of mans Mortification and is the first part of Repentance so needfull as that without it men cannot repent indeede Ps 51. and 126.6.7 But hauing the same in the right constitution of minde wee are accepted with the Lorde though we sowe in teares wee reape in ioy wee enter the gate of right Repentance wee mooue the Lord GOD to pitie vs wee finde mercie with his grace and finally bee directed from hel to heauen and from eternall death to eternall life through the merits of the Sonne of God CHAP. XV. The second part of the Soole of pietie is the Shippe NExt to the Share is the Shippe 2. Humiliation of the Spirit which is that member of the Soole whereon the Share is fastened and this noteth the humiliation of the Spirite wrought by that true feare of GOD whereby mans heart being contrite the minde is also so humbled and made poore in his owne conceit as that it casteth off all boldnesse of it owne strength wisedome iustice wealth and estimation Hereof it is that a man chooseth to be an abiect in the house of God and preferreth all others before him when hee considereth his owne vilenesse as Dauid did acknowledgeth himselfe to bee but dust and ashes as Abraham did esteemeth himselfe vnworthy of Gods manifold mercies as Iacob did standeth a farre off and is afraide to looke vp to heauen as the poore Publican did dreadeth to take the holy name of God in his mouth as Solomon did desireth to be but as a seruant in Gods house as the prodigall Sonne did in the house of his father esteemeth himselfe a worme and no man as Christ did thinketh both himselfe and his house vnwoorthie of Christ as the Ruler didde and saith to Christ Lord goe from me for I am a sinfull man as Peter did In a word as this humble Spirit casteth down and condemneth and contemneth himselfe as a seruant vnprofitable in thought word and deede so hath hee no desire to bee praised before God or man because hee seeth and feeleth in himselfe nothing worthie commendation but rather sinne damnation This is contrary to the humour of the worlde which hunteth after the vaine glory of the same and thinketh magnificently of her followers therein disdaining and contemning the whiles the humble and lowly men of Spirit Howbeit the Lord Iesus as hee himselfe was humble and meeke Mat. 52. and would that all his Disciples should follow him therein so hee pronounceth those persons blessed for that to them belongeth the kingdome of heauen neyther as he saith shall any be admitted into the same but such onely as be truly humbled and in the meekenesse of Spirit become as children the which Augustine considering saide that this was indeede the first the second and the third point yea the highest and cheefest point of Christianity Why humility is likened to the Shippe And worthily is this vertue compared to the Shippe in the Soole for that as the Ship is not only that peece which holdeth the Share but is placed beneath next to the earth so the humiliation of the Spirit holdeth fast the true Contrition of the heart the which without the same would soone bee abated and yet how low soeuer this be placed vnder some other parts of the Soole and next the ground with the Shippe yet as Nazianzen said ypsus arozenthe etapeinosen it goeth before exalâ—ation and honour Therfore Saint Iames counselled Be yee humble vnder Gods mighty hand that he may exalt you in the time conuenient For God resisteth the proude but giueth grace to the lowly And to strengthen all the Lord himselfe saith Learne of me for I am meeke and lowly of heart and ye shal finde rest for your soules for he that humbleth himselfe shall be exalted CHAP. XVI The third part of the Soole is the Culter THe third member of this Soole is Confession of the Mouth 3. ConfessioÌ„ of Mouth compared to the Vomere Vomer or that which we call the Culter The Culter hath his name of cutting or diuiding the Vomer is so called a Vomendo that is of vomiting or casting foorth any thing from the stomacke This Culter is that which cuts diuideth openeth that which the Share pierceth casting or separating the sound earth some on this side some on that as a man may thereby see not onely a diuision or opening of the parts but also the very bottome or ground of that earth And thereto that Confession of the Mouth beeing compared is defined the expresse manifestation of our sinnes eyther publikely or priuately eyther to God Confession to God or to men that to God is when our Consciences touched with the diuine Law we so acknowledge our sinnes before the Lord that we confesse our selues most worthy damnation both of body and soule therein we accuse not Gods Iudgements but implore his great mercies and praise his glory which iustifieth the sinner not of desert but of his diuine grace in his Sonne that to man is when hauing hurt or offended our brethren Confession to man we willingly acknowledge confesse our faultes vnto them with an humble and hearty desire of pardon And this confession is sometimes priuate as when the faultes be priuate and sometimes publike as when the faultes be publike alwaies accompanied with a promise
and your Brother and Sauiour Therefore should yee also be patient which are his children and my brethren and by me preserued Againe God is patient to you ward therefore should ye also be patient not only towards him but also one towards an other of you And surely as the Soole is imperfect without the Ground-Rise neither can a Christian be a sufficient labourer in the Lords field or meete qualified for this Spirituall Plough without patience For by this hard things are easie grieuous matters are made tollerable and sowre thinges seeme sweete The contrition of the heart the humiliation of the minde the confession of the mouth the narration of the flesh and the hope of remission is mightily confirmed and established by this Christian vertue Therefore let vs harken therein to the Lord and his holy Apostles which exhort and perswade vs to helpe on the Plough with this powerfull Ground-rise CHAP. XX. The seuenth part of the Soole is the broad Hale THe sixt member of the spiritual Soole Conuersion of mind is called Stiua and englished the Handle or Hale on the which the Plough-man holding his hand by winding and wilding the same turneth the Soole and correcteth the worke comparable therein to the Mariner who holding the Helme of his Shippe turneth about the same and correcteth the errour of his course at his pleasure And of this as hauing a double vse there be two sorts as whereon either hand of the Plough-man might leane for the better framing of the worke The one is called the Broad handle the other the Round-handle to the former is fastened that which is called the Ground-rise by the which the furrow is cast vp and fully perfected and this noteth the Conuersion of the minde as the other the correction of the action both the which are no lesse necessarie then the turning of the turfes and amendement of the faults For the turfe being thereby loosed from the ground must bee altred as that which was before downeward turned vpward and that which was vpward turned downe Againe by this kind of correction that which was old must be renewed and the spinie turse changed into a gentle soyle But first of the former By this is meant the altring of the affection and the conuersion of the minde It is well knowne that the mind in his right nature is the same by whose light all inferiour vertues are directed and gouerned and by the which beeing well qualified a man is made able to iudge betweene truth and falshood good and euill But without this as deuoide of reason which hath her seate in the minde a man is comparable to the perishing beast Here was it where the Lord imprinted the image of his nature and happy had bin our condition had not that soueraigne image bene taken from sinful man But as saith the Wise man Man sought out many inuentions yea the Serpent as a venemous Salamander infected this part of mans soule which being therby as the roote of a tree poisoned could thenceforth naturally yeeld no wholesome fruit Isa â—7 â—0 Rom. 1.18 Thus man hauing his minde surcharged in most pittifull wise fel out of his wit as one cast into a lewd minde in the vanity whereof he walked hauing his cogitation darkened and became a stranger from the life of God through the ignorance that is in him But seeing the Lorde is willing man should be restored and brought home he giueth him by his spirite an alteration of mind being chaunged from euill to good from the diuell to God And this God chiefly required in that word of the wise man My sonne giue me thine heart for hauing thine heart I shall easily haue thy body also Mans hart and mans minde We may here note that the minde and the heart of man doe often signifie one and the same thing in the Scripture as the fountaine or roote of all his cogitations words actions and endeuours Adam had turned his minde or heart from God when he listned to his wife and turned to the Serpent but then he began to turne againe when hee ackowledged his sinne and sought to the Lorde for mercie The Israelites in the Wildernesse had forgotten God that made them but then they began to remember him and to chaunge their mindes when they began to repent So the Iewes captiued in Babylon for their auersion forgetfulnes of God Psal 137. began at length to turne towardes him and remember Sion Thus also Manasses and Dauid and Salomon and Peter and Paul turned from their former wicked liues wherein they had offended the Maiestie of God and came home againe humbly acknowledging their errours And this is that which our Sauiour teacheth in the comming home of the lost Sonne to his Faher against whom he had sinned being now of another minde and constitution then he was when hee went from home Saint Paul perceiuing not only the praise but the profit of this good alteration desired the Romans by the tender mercies of God to be changed by the renewing of their mindes Rom. 12.2 1. And S. Peter Pet. 4.1 put for our example Christ Iesus to whom hee would wee should in minde bee conformed Ier. 31. And this the Prophet vnderstoode in the person of the children of Ephraim who had beene estranged from Gods grace and now desired to bee reclaimed and receiued into fauour againe saying Conuert thou me and I shall be conuerted for thou art the Lord my God But Dauid Wee neede new harts to shew the manner of this action desired God to create in him a new heart and renew the right spirit within him Where note that this worke must bee framed not of any thing in our selues but another heart is to be created that is not made or framed of that older heart but created that is of nothing by a new worke for the word to create is to make something not ex praeiacente materia but of nothing For so indeed need we to haue new made hearts that the holy Spirit may againe be renewed to vs in the same For it is certaine that wee haue turned away from the Lord with the Prodigall Sonne and louing darknesse more then light haue thought the pleasures of sinne for the time better then the diuine graces which last for euer wherein wee must confesse with Dauid Daniel that we haue egregiously erred transgressed and offended against God and the Angells But now wee are better resolued and thinking more reuerently of the Lord in goodnes are by this readie to renew our former loue and turning our hearts againe vnto our God doe endeuour to serue him in singlenesse of minde This is that which the Prophet Ioel would perswade when hee saith Rent your hearts and not you garments Ioel. 2.13 and turne to the Lord your God Loe this is that first Plough-handle and such is the true vse thereof Now let vs consider of the second CHAP. XXI The eight part of
the Soole is the round-Hale BY the former handle of the Soole called also the Broade Hale is signified the turning about 7 Correction of the words and works c. and correction of the heart minde and inwarde affection of the Soule Now by this second called the Round-hale there is noted also a correction of mans words workes actions conditions and endeuours that therein the conuersion might be not onely in the minde or inward man but also without in the members so in the whole man is a perfect conuersion answerable not onely to the Greeke Metonoiah but also to the Hebrue Teschubah the altring or renewing not onely of the minde but of the whole man That is the meaning of the Prophet when hee saith Turne againe vnto the Lord Conuert thou vs and we shall be conuerted The order thereof wee may learne from the practise of the cunning Phisitian who endeuouring to alter the constitution of his sicke Patient applieth to cold causes hotte medicines and to hotte humours colde things as that with the cause of euery maladie The order of conuersion might with his contrary be best maistred and suppressed the like we may take from the vsage of the husbandman who into his hungry fields brings the fattest soyle into snapy and wet places hotte lime ashes and sand into high earth the sound marrle and into stony ground the cleanest worthe Euen so in this conuersion it is required that against wicked vices there be opposed all godly vertues Thus taught our Sauiour Christ who came into the world to saue sinners and thereto as Simeon prophecied to be the downe-falling Luk. ◠and the vprising of many in Israel which is meant not onely of sundrie persons diuersly affected to whom he allots a contrary retribution but also of one and the same singular person or persons in whom he destroyeth the kingdome of sinne that in the same he might set vp and establish the kingdome of righteousnesse And in this hee wrought the ruine of pride by his humility the ruine of auarice by his liberalitie the ruine of luxury by his chastitie the ruine of enuie by his charitie the ruine of gluttony by his sobrietie the ruine of wrath by his patience the ruine of sloath by his diligence in a word the ruine of all wickednesse by his righteousnesse A certaine man endeuouring to perswade to this patterne counselled as thus translated Vnto the sicknesse of the Soule the contraries apply Giue Niggard of thine owne thou wanton bend to chastitie Turne Enuie into loue and Pride to good humilitie Yeeld Glutton to Sobrietie thou wrathfull patience loue In fine to bridle youthfull flesh the Rodde of Nurture proue Luk. 3.5 This rule taught Iohn the Baptist in his preaching of Repentance Let euery hill bee brought lowe let euery valley bee filled vp let thinges which are crooked be made straight and that which is rough be made plaine The same Ezechiel hath without a metaphor saying Ezec. 18.21 Let the vngodly man turne away from his vngodlinesse and doe the thing that is right And Daniel counsailing Nabuchadnezar thus Breake off thy sinnes by righteousnesse Dan. 4. and thine iniquitie by mercie The meaning is that men should cast away the deedes of darkenesse and put on the armour of light that the errour of their liues might bee redressed and themselues turned to the truth and brought from the power of Sathan vnto the Lord their God This is the enkindling of the blacke cole which hauing fire in it shineth bright yea this is the well culturing of mans vntrimmed land wherby the face and forme thereof being changed renewed and all things perfected hee is made liable both in body and minde to the heauenly and soueraigne seede Howbeit we must neuer forget this that both the beginning the proceeding and the effecting of this holy worke of mans Conuersion is not of mans owne will or abilitie but that which belongeth onely to his grace who hath created him and by his Spirite in his Sonne renueth them which belong vnto his kingdome The necessitie and manner of the Lords diuine worke therein hee declareth in his disputation with Nichodemus concerning the same saying Verily verily I say vnto thee Io. 3.5 except that a man be borne of water and of the Spirite he cannot enter into the kingdome of God Where he meaneth the Spirituall water whereby wee are baptized by the holy Ghost into newnesse of life The which being an especial worke of God not onely aboue mans abilitie but farre beyond his wisedome to conceiue he is bound to ascribe the praise thereof vnto the Lorde and with continuall inuocations and praiers desires of his goodnesse that as hee is most willing to worke this conuersion in vs by his Spirite we may not any way refuse the good motions of the same but euermore yeeld our selues readie both in minde and members to suppresse vices by the exercises of holy vertues and to turne away from all euill to follow and encline vnto all that is good by the helpe and grace of God in his sonne Iesus CHAP. XXII The ninth part of the Soole is the Chaine 8 The combination of Vertue AFter the two Hales or Handles wee regard the Chaine or Iron-Rope the which being fastned to the Tractorie and grapled to the yokes the whole Soole is pulled forth by the Oxen This Chaine or Rope is made of many Rings or linckes fastened one within an other so as one of thē being drawn forth all the other must of necessitie follow To such a matter aymed those auncient The three Graces wise and gratefull men who framed their three Xarisetes or Graces so as Xaris charin pherei One grace held supported or prouoked an other By this is fitly depainted the true combination prouocation of those motions which are agreeable to the lawe of God inspired and kindled by his diuine Spirite yea those very heauenly vertues and graces which are deriued vnto vs by a measure from the fulnesse of Christ and are appointed to sustaine and followe one an other in these persons regenerate Of this spake Saint Iohn when he saide that From his fulnesse we all receiue Grace Ioh. 1. vpon Grace or one vertue following an other And no doubt of the same spake Paul when hee would that such as beleeued should thereto adde not onely vertue but Proceede from vertue to vertue that is to adde one vertue to an other vntill they were made perfect in Christ But Saint Peter iumpeth iust to the Graces 1. Pet. 15. and numbreth vp sixe particular Linckes for this Chaine saying Giue yee all heede that yee minister in your faith vertue in your vertue knowledge in your knowledge temperance in your temperance godlinesse in your godlinesse brotherly kindenesse in your brotherly kindenesse loue Whereas hee saith Giue ye all heede that ye minister in your faith vertue c. He meaneth not that the power of the action or
the Law and haue neede to be reformed and conformed by to the same Also I am to think on the Articles of my beliefe of the holy petitions in the Lords praier with the ten Commandements reading them on my ten fingers also of the wickednes of the world the vanity of the flesh the malignitie of Sathan the miserie and mortality of man the certainty of death the vncertainty of his comming the last iudgement the paines of the damned and the great felicity of the Lords elected Saints To be briefe I am to harken to Saint Paul in this matter who writing to the Philippians thus exhorteth Phil 4 8. Whatsoeuer things are true whatsoeuer things are honest whatsoeuer things are iust whatsoeuer things are of good report if there be any vertue if there be any thing praise-worthy meditate on these things chiefly in this how yee may obtaine and performe them and the God of peace shall be with you All these and such like thinges are to bee ruminated in a circularie meditation as wherof may be framed an healthfull Rownd or Wheele whereof is made a very vehement motiue to true Mortification CHAP. XXIIII The eleuenth part of the Soole is the neere Wheele THe second Wheele of this Plough 10. The secoÌ„d wheele noting perseuerance is Continuatio Actionis the continuance of the action which is the constant stable and perpetuall perseuerance in the reason or way well considered of and not vnaptly likened to the Wheele in this that as the Wheele in his winding beginneth to winde againe there where it lastly ended and the circle or compasse thereof is without end so should the end of one good meditation bee the entrance into another one good word should bring in an other and one charitable action performed we must begin an other chiefly euery good action study or endeuour once begunne must not be giuen ouer or delaied but holden on and continued to the end This doubtlesse was intimated by that mysterie in the Lawe where the tailes of the beastes were commanded to bee offered vp in sacrifice together with their bodies The same meant the Prophet Hoseah when he commanded the people to seek the Lord vntill he came to raine righteousnes vpoÌ„ them Hos 10. that entended Salomon wheÌ„ he said that the end of a thing was better then the beginning as from whence the censure of either good or euil is best taken The wilde Asse ouercommeth the Lyon and the Wolfe not by strength but by continuance of course Neither without perseuerance is the battaile wonne by the fight the crowne gotten by the victor or the goale archieued by the runner So saith our Sauiour He that goeth to the Plough and looketh backward is nothing fit for the kingdome of heauen But If ye continue in my words then are yee my very Disciples and yee shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free yea hee that continueth to the end the same shall be saued Loe this is that Wheele by the which Pieties Plough ougâ—t to proceede without feare or fainting vntill the action in hand bee fully effected for the praise of God and benefite of man Saul the king of Israel wanted this Wheele so did Iudas the traitour Demas and such other Apostataes execrable to God and odious before men but Abraham Dauid Daniel Paul Iohn the Baptist and Iohn the Euangelist continued their course and calling beeing therefore blessed with the Lord and commended of all good men Thus hauing perused the two Wheeles we are next to consider of the Axel-tree whereon those Wheeles are carried in Pieties Plough CHAP. XXV The twelfth part is the Axell AS the two Wheeles of the Plough are combined and carried by the Axell-tree 11. Wholsome praier so is that Christian meditation and godly Perseuerance in the good action mightily combined and supported by godly inuocation therefore worthily resembled in the same This is that true vertue which commeth of that true Good of his Son Iesus and of the Holy ghost and desireth the good things not onely of this life but also of the life to come This is that which fighting against all doubtfulnesse dooth promise vs to be heard that we shall thereby obtaine the good things desired for the sake of the Mediator Therefore as the Lorde in the olde Testament hath commanded men to call vpon him in troubles with a promise to heare and helpe so the holy men of that time haue duly obserued it Againe as in the newe Testament our Sauiour hath both taught and commanded his Apostles to pray in his name to the Father for daily foode necessaries of nature for pardon of trespasses for their defence against the diuell and such so they thinking it needefull and finding the benefite thereof haue not onely duly obserued it but in their doctrines and good counsailes taught and exhorteth all others to doe the like not onely for themselues Ephes 6. but for all estates and conditions of men Surely this is that spirituall Axell-tree which holdeth together the Wheeles and beareth vppe the Beame and that very vertue of the Spirite whereby it pieaseth God hearing our prayers to helpe our weakenesse and to direct vs to the effecting and perfecting of all other vertues For this is as Augustine said Locutio ad Deum quando legis Deus tibi loquiter quando oras cum Deoloqueris A speaking to God when thou readest God speaketh to thee when thou praiest thou talkest with God An other calleth it an humble conuersion to God Hugo with the mouth of the minde assisted with fath hope and charitie and touching the good operation and effects thereof saith an other It cleareth the heart withdraweth it from terrene affections cleanseth it from vices lifteth it vp to heauenly things yeeldeth him more capable and worthy to conceiue the spirituall good thinges This dooth our Sauiour Christ worthily confirme when he saith that his Father giueth the holy Spirite to them that aske the same of him in his name by the which Spirite he meaneth all the graces and blessings of the holy Ghost Therefore he saith againe to his Disciples Aske and ye shall receiue that your ioy may bee full Wherfore when wee haue assayed to frame the Soole of all the former members and knowe that yet there remaineth in vs many desertes let vs deuoutly conuert our selues to GOD our heauenly Father in hearty and humble prayer that it woulde vouchsafe him of his power and goodnesse in Christ to supply all those our defects and feeling the sweetnesse thereof not forget to glorifie him with the Psalmist saying Praised bee GOD which hath not put backe my prayers from him nor his mercies from mee CHAP. XXVI The thirteenth part of the Soole is the Key IN the twelfth place it is required 12. Faith wholsome that wee consider of the Keye or Pinne whereby the Beame is fastened to the Tawe and the Soole set eyther higher or lower deeper
tou Kuriou Iesou alla kai muriakis ean iaie I am ready said Gordius not onely to labour but to die for the name of the Lord Iesus not onely once but a thousand times if it might so bee Ignat. in apost ad Trattia acts Epest 10. ad Ephes And I said Ignatius haue setled my hope in him who died for mee that is Christ For there is no guile founde in him Againe I am for Gods cause deliuered into the hands of murtherers as from the bloud of Abell the iust vnto the bloud of Ignatius the least Againe writing to the Romanes Suffer mee saith he to be made meate for the beastes appointed to deuour me Epist 11 that I may be made worthy of God For I am the wheate or corne of God and I shall be grinded with the teeth of beasts that I may become cleane bread for the Lord and therto ye may perswade those beasts that their wombes become my Sepulchre and that they leaue no part of my body whereby after my death the same may not remaine loathsome vnto any of them which liue Loe this is that which faithfull hope perswades and such are the Oxen such is their labour in this field and such is their remuneration with the Lorde and his Saints CHAP. XXIX 1 The Holder 2 The Leader 3 The Driuer of Pieties Plough WE knowe right well The working of God in the regeneration of man Dionys Areo in Caiest hierarchiae ca. 1. that no man commeth to the Father but by the Sonne that no man commeth to the Son but he whom the Father draweth and that no man commeth either to the one or to the other but by the power and motion of the holy Ghost So that in this worke the whole Trinitie of the diuine Deitie hath his action and perfect working therefore it is Cant. 1. that the most holy Spowsesse â—s Salomon testifieth prayeth to her most peerlesse head saying Draw me forth after thee and then will we runne Ier. 31. Ephraim implores as the Prophet Ieremie saith O Lorde conuert vs and wee shall bee conuerted The Apostles desire O Lorde encrease our faith And the Lorde Iesus himselfe sending forth his Apostles commaundes them to preach the Gospell and to Baptise the beleeuers in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Therefore as the Plough is by the Holder thereof directed by the Leader allured and by the Driuer prouoked so is this spirituall Plough directed by God the Father allured by God the Sonne and prouoked by God the holy Ghost for God himselfe holdeth Christ Iesus leadeth and the holy Spirite prouoketh the Plough in this husbandrie and field of the Lord. Gen. 1.1 Thus in the great work of the Creation these three persons had not onely their seuerall but their ioynt operations as Moses testifieth Thus in the conception and birth of Christ God the Father begets Mat. 1. Luk 2. God the holy Ghost workes in the conception and God the Sonne is begotten and borne which three also worke in the begetting regeneration and new birth of the elected Saints albeit they are not three but one eternall God The Holder My Father saith Christ is an Husbandman and so called in regard of his wisedome prouidence and good endeuours had God is as a Husbandman Secund. Philoso and daily employed by him on the soyle of mans heart wherein semblant to the Husbandman whom the Philosopher Secundus in the presence of Adrian defined he is a Minister of labours an improuer of the desart a Phisitian of the earth a Planter of trees and a Measurer or Proportioner of monethes In this person we may here remember beyond many others two principall attributes or diuine vertues namely Gods iustice and mercie his Iustice and his Mercie both the which in the holding of this Plough hee aptly applieth as his two handes to those two Hales or handles of the Soole In the former we finde him euer vpright and seuere against presumptious sinners in the latter louing and cheerful to penitents The first is strengthened by the vigour of the Lawe the latter beautified by the comforts of the Gospel and therein both these are so tempted by the meditation of Messias his merite Gregor mor. in Iob. 35 lib. 26. cap. 10. that neither presumption hurteth nor desperation killeth him that truly repents For as God is a good Father so in his goodnesse he respects not only his naturall Sonne God and man but all such as haue their adoptioÌ„ by grace in him with a right fatherly loue and affection The Leader as it is said before is Christ Iesus 2 Christ is the Leader of the Plough who indeede goeth forth before all those his Oxen as their Head and Captaine and willing to bring man from errours to the truth and especially his Ministers to the right method and order of their vocation Aug. in Ioan. tract 22. he saith I am the Way the Truth and the Life As if he would say Falli non vis Ego sum veritas Mori non vis Ego sum vita Errare non vis Ego sum via Non est qua eas nisi ad me non est quà cas nisi per me Wilt thou not be deceiued I am the Truth Wilt thou not die I am the Life Wilt thou not erre I am the Way Thou hast not whither to goe but vnto me neither maist thou walke safely sauing by me This is the same to whom the Lawe directs the Prophets point the Figures ayme and whom the Father would that all men should heare and hee hath not onely shewed the way vnto the kingdome but louingly allures men to walke in the same Therefore he faith Mat. 11.29 Learne of me Come vnto me Neither hath he at any time required that of his followers in this worke which himselfe had not first vndertaken in his owne person In regard whereof Apo. 14.1 those hundred fortie and foure thousand redeemed soules which stand with the Lambe on Mount Sion followe him wheresoeuer he goeth and therefore as for him they are crossed they shall be with him also crowned finding that all the afflictions of this life for him Ro. 8. are not worthy that glory which shall be reuealed in him 3 The Driuer The holy Ghost prouokes the good Oxe The Driuer of this Plough is the diuine Spirite through whose instigation the goade is agitated the Oxen prouoked and the Plough furthered too and for the which it pleaseth him semblant to the Goad inch or driuer of Oxen to vse and apply sometimes Words sometimes Voices sometimes Songs or whistlings sometimes prickes and stripes The Words Words are the examples testimonies sentences and Parables of the holy Scriptures Eccle. 12. the which as saith Salomon as are goades and nailes fastened by the maisters of the Assemblies which are giuen by one Pastor goades to prouoke and nailes to confirme the working