receiue any thing from him And to speake the truth in one word he is all in all and without him we are nothing but vanitie Let vs conclude then that sithence he is our blisse whosoeuer is seperated from him doth abide in perpetuall curse That the Apostates being separated from Iesus Christ are also depriued of his spirite Chap. 9. THe miserie of the Apostates may easily be knowen by the former reasons hauing first of all forsaken God the Father and then the sonne to wit our Sauiour and Mediatour Iesus Christ It remaineth nowe to shew how for the confirmation of their miseries they are also destitute of the holy Ghost and by consequent depriued of the CoÌ„munication societie of the most blessed and holy Trinitie that is to say in a word of the whole Deitie so that to rule and gouerne them there remaineth onely vnto them the deuill the worlde their flesh and concupiscences But when we say that they are destitute of the holy Ghost we vnderstand that of the spirite of sanctification and regeneration which is giuen vnto the children of God to seale in their harts their adoption and as a pawne and pledge to assure them of the inheritance of the life which is promised and prepared in heauen for them for as concerning the spirit of prophesy gift of working miracles Numb 23. ver 7. 24 Num. 24.5 1. Sam. 19.23 Ioh. 11.51 Mat. 24.24 2. Thes 2.9 Ezech. 36.26 we knowe it hath bene giuen vnto Balaam and vnto Saule to Caiphas and to Iudas and also that it may be granted vnto false prophets and vnto Antichrist and to the reprobate to whom it pleased God to communicat the same But that spirit which is giuen vnto the children of God to change their stony harts into harts of flesh to sanctifie them to kindle in them a fire which stirreth them vp to all good workes not to seeke in them any other glorye then that which is of God no doubt the Apostates are destitute of such a spirite yea they neuer had it For as S. Ihon saith 1. Ioh. 4.13 Hereby know we that we dwel in him he in vs because he hath giuen vs of his spirite Seing then they haue not remained stedfast in Iesus Christ but voluntarily are departed from him may it not be therof inferred that the spirit of God was neuer coÌ„municated vnto them considering it is giueÌ„ only to streÌ„gthen a man against temptatioÌ„s to make him so firme resolute in his wil that he may perseuere in the faith vnto the end For it is called for this cause the spirit of strength and power from an high Esay 11.2 Luk. 24.49 Because that meÌ„ which otherwise by their nature are so weake feeble that the shaking of a leaf or the voice of a damosell will astonish them be by him made not only inuincible against al assaults but also victorious against the Deuill and all other their enemies which hath bene seene by experience in the Apostles and Martyrs who indued with this spirite haue by his force vanquished and made subiect the world vnto Iesus Christ haue ouercome not onely the threatnings the fury violence of tyrants but also the feare and horror of the fire of wild and sauage beastes and other cruell torments which were prepared for them by the enemies of the truth Moreouer to whome doth it appertaine to bestow the spirite of Iesus Christ Mat. 3.11 Ioh. 7.38 Who is he that doth baptize with the holy ghost and with fire Who promised it vnto all those who should beleeue in his name saying He that beleeueth in me as saith the Scripture out of his belly shall flowe riuers of water of life Nowe he spake this as the EuaÌ„gelist doth adde of the spirit which they that beleeue in him should receaue Now then if he giue it to those only which beleue in him how caÌ„ he impart it to those which blaspheme him who crucify him again Luk. 11. stap him vnder their feet Furthermore this spirit is coÌ„municated to those who are of the children Rom. 8. Gal. 4. of the houshold The Apostates then being no more of the house or family of God which they haue giuen ouer altogether how can they any more receaue this spirit which is the signe and gage of the adoption of his children seing that whosoeuer is filled with this spirite is the child of the light and walketh in the light not communicating in anye wise with the workes of darckenes but rather reproueth them according to the occasion offred vnto him and seeketh the assemblies of the faithfull whereunto he bringeth according to the measure of grace which he hath receaued either a Psalme a hymne or some spiritual song there in the midst of all the companye of the Saints to sing publikely with them the praises of God Considering then that the Apostates this day fly our assemblies that they desire in their harts that they were dispersed and seeing vnto this ende the vehementest of them all do employ their goods frieÌ„ds which they haue as in this country of Aniow the church of Anger 's Saumeur haue tried and finally that they haue no greater care at this day then to go the first to Masse to beare the taper in procession of their Idol to do penance vnto it because they had for a time forsaken it some amonge them haue with great charges reedified set vp againe the altars in their Temples Idols images which they theÌ„selues before in detestation of idolatry had broken downe and all to fitters And to be short seing I say that there is no superstition no impietie no worke of the deuil darknes in al papistry to which they feigne not themselues to cleaue is it possible that the spirit of God which calleth it self is a spirit of truth that is to say Ioh. 14.17 ful of singlenes of sinceritie of simplicitie and integritie should dwel with such hypocrites which with vs for a while haue frequented our sermons feigned themselues to haue loued and liked them now the Papists Infidels go to the Masse other idolatries which they approue by their presence couÌ„tenance Wisd 1. For it is written that the spirit of God abhorreth euery one that plaieth the masker and is disguised And who as we do the fashion of garments change yeare by yeare their faith their religion their customes And although they haue assaied the true religion that which God hath prescribed vnto vs by his worde neuertheles they could not buckle themselues vnto it nor hold it fast imitating in that the nature of the ChamelioÌ„ who as they say can represent change himself into al colors except white Now if the Scribes Pharises be so often accursed by Iesus Christ Mat. 23.13 for hauing bene hipocrits in one reâ—igion onely by how much more stronge reason are the Apostats
AN EXCELLENT AND LEARNED TREATISE OF APOSTASIE MADE BY the most reuerend and godly learned man M. Iohn de l'Espine Minister of the word of God in the Churche of Anger 's in the Dukedome of Anjou DIRECTED AGAINST THE Apostates in the Churches of France Written first in the French tongue by the author him selfe and now faithfully translated into English The contentes of the booke appeare in the page following ANCHORA SPEI * Imprinted at London by Thomas Vautrollier dwelling in the Black-friers neare Ludgate Anno. 1587. THE CONTENTES OF THE CHAPters following in this Treatise The Preface Chap. 1. That there is want of iudgement in the Apostates Chap. 2. What the wretchednes of the Apostates is Chap. 3. That God departeth from the Apostates Chap. 4. That the Apostates are euer pursued by the Iustice of God whiche suffereth them not to haue any rest in their consciences Chap. 5. That the Apostates are without God though they thinke and defend the contrary Chap. 6. That as the Apostates are without God so they are without Christ Chap. 7. That the Apostates being departed from Iesus Christ are miserable Chap. 8. That the Apostates being separated from Iesus Christ are also depriued of his spirite Chap. 9. That as the Apostates haue giueÌ„ ouer God which in the authour of life so also they do coÌ„teÌ„ne those meanes which they may vse to come vnto him Chap. 10. That the Apostates are depriued of the Sacraments as well as of the word Chap. 11. That the Apostates haue no faith Chap. 12. That the Apostates are without the Church Chap. 13. That it is a most dangerous thing for the delayers of time who knowe the true Churche not to adioyne themselues presently vnto it Chap. 14. What the causes are whiche hinder the delayers from comming to the Churche and how light and friuolous they are Chap. 15. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL MAISTER THOMAS RANDOLPH Esquire Maister and Comptrouller of her Maiesties Posts and one of the Chamberlaines of her Highnesse Exchequer THOMAS VAVTROLLIER Printer wisheth prosperitie in this life and the ioyes of the life to come OVR Sauiour Christe Right Worshipful and most Christian Gentleman setting forth the state of the kingdome of heauen by the parable of the seede Matth 13. teacheth that some felvpâ—n stony ground where it had not much earth and â—one it sprange vp because it had not depth of earth and when the Sunne rose vp it was parched and for lacke of rooting withered away which our Sauiour himselfe in the 20. verse of the same chapter expoundeth to be he who heareth the word and incontinently with ioy receiueth it yet hath he no roote in himselfe and dureth but a season for assoone as tribulation or persecution commeth because of the word by and by he is offended The trueth of which doctrine hath bene most euident in the Churche of God in all ages Gen. 18. Lot his wife will needes looke backe to filthy Sodome because it is a rich and a pleasant place and the olde sonnes of Israel rather then they will suffer a litle aduersitie as the people of God will returne into Egypt an accursed land so they may haue their Leekes their Garlike and Onions and many will rather returne to Caiphas and to the pallace of thâ— High Priest Heb. 13.13 then they will goe forth with Iesuâ— Christ out of the Campe bearing his reprocheâ— refusing vtterly to drinke of the cuppe of thâ— Sonne of God to weare his cognisance and arâ— ashamed of the choller of his order and wilâ— at no hand suffer any thing with Iesus Chrisâ— who hath suffered all thinges for them tâ— raigne and to be glorified for euer with himâ— And surely very miserable experience hereoâ— in these laste times may dailye be seene in thâ— Churches about vs as those of France and other places so many for the heate of persecution and least they shoulde beare the crosse of Christ haue and daily do returne to that spirituall Egypt and mystical Babylon the mother of all abhominations Among many reuolts and defections there hath bene none more fearefull and horrible then that most dreadful Apostasie which befell not long since on Saint Bartholomewes day in the Churches of Anjou so many falling away which neuer since returned to the sheepefolde of Christ which moued this excellent and godly learned man Maister I. de l'Espine Minister of the word of God in the Church of Anger 's to write this most excellent Treatise vnto them that they might remember from whence they be fallen that they may see howe they haue defiled the Temple of God and made sad his holy spirite and the holy Angels to be in sorowe and heauines beholding their fall in betraying the son of God and in sclandering the sufferings of his glorious Martyrs banished driuen from â—heir countries and houses depriued and forsaken of their fathers mothers wiues children parents friends cast into dungeons amonge Toades and Serpents bound and fettered with â—ll crueltie and outrage by hangmen and executioners mangled afflicted and tormented But alas these haue refused this so great an honour 1. Pet. 4. Rom. 8. as to communicate with the passions of Iesus Christ and to be made conformable vnto his image in suffering with him and for the profession of his moste glorious Gospell This godly and learned Treatise written by the Author in the Frenche tongue for the vse and benefite especially of his owne Church being deliuered and commended vnto me by a reuerend and learned man faithfully translated into English I thought it a meditation very necessary in these times for the Church of England also who although nowe God be praised she neede notto shrinke for any fiery triall yet she knoweth not how neare the Lord his visitation is Mat. 25. and our Sauiour teacheth his seruants continually to watche That I haue presumed to dedicate it vnto your Worshippe 〈◊〉 thinke fewe men will aske and no man ought to maruaile who knoweth your zealous and most Christian profession and the great duties wherein I stand bound to your Worship for your great fauour and assistance in my distresses and afflictions Onely I beseech you tâ— receiue it as a signification of my thankefulâ— mind in dutie towards your Worshippe The Lord giue you grace still to continue euen tâ— the ende to blesse you here with all increase of Worship and with all spirituall ioyes in heauenly things in his most blessed Sonne Christ Iesus London From my poore house in the Blacke-Friers this present 9. of May. 1587. Your Worships in all dutie THOMAS VAVTROLLIER Heb. 6.4 It is impossible that they whiche were once lightened and haue tasted of the heauenly gift and were made partakers of the holy Ghost and haue tasted of the good worde of God and of the powers of the world to come If they fall away should be renewed agayne by repentance seyng they crucifie agayne to them selues the sonne of God and make a mocke of him
authoritie or power ouer them for notwithstanding their defection and Apostacie he doth not cease to be still their Lord and their Iudge as he is also vnto the Deuils and vnâ—o other reprobates But this is it whiche wee â—olde that they be not the children of God Gal. 3. nor comprehended within his couenant Rom. 9.8 that â—o them the promises of saluation concerning their efficacye and operation doe not â—ppertaine Gal. 4.6 and that they haue not the spirite of adoption which hath ingrauen and â—ealed the grace of God in their heartes and maketh them to cry Abba father But now to speake properly God is God onely of those who by faith are ingrafted into the family of Abraham and made the children of the promise by reason whereof ten tribes of Israell hauing seuered themselues from the couenant of God vnder the crowne of Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat God doth denounce vnto theÌ„ by his Prophet that he doth not acknowledge them any more for his people And to assurr â—n better therof he commandeth the Prophet to call his last sonne his name Locrian for ye are not sayth he my people Hos 1.9 therefore will I not be your God To the Iewes also who made their boast that they had God to be their father Iesus Christ who knew verie well that they had broken his couenant reiecting and persecuting him so obstinately as they did he I say who is the onely meanes and grounde thereof sayd vnto them Ioh. 8.42 Ioh. 8.44 If God were your father then would you loue me for I proceded forth and came from God neither came Iâ— my selfe but he sent me Ye are of your father the Deuill and the lusts of your father ye will doe 〈◊〉 hath beene a murtherer from the beginning â— aâ— abode not in the truth because there is no truthâ— him When he speaketh a lye then speaketh heâ— his owne for he is a lyer and the father thereoâ— By this speech which Iesus Christ had witâ— the Iewes it may well be thought that theâ— were farre ouer-shot in their reckoning tâ— thinke they were the children of God becauâ— they were circumcised and bare about theâ— the tokens of his couenant seeing they were so farre of from being accounted for such as â—he doth rather esteeme them the seed and progenie of the Deuill because they yelded themselues wholly obedient to his hests which are to loue vntrueth and to seeke the death of all those who loue preach or fauor in what sort soeuer the truth We must not then iudge by outward apearance of those that are of the house and family of God For there are many of whom his name is called vpon and who say vnto him Lorde Lorde Math. 7.21 which shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen but he onely that doth his will Many sayth Iesus Christ speaking to the Iewes will say to me in that day Lord Lord haue we not by thy name prophesied and by thy name cast out Deuils And by thy name done many great workes And then will I professe to them I neuer knew you depart from me ye that worke iniquity And Saint Paule speaking to the Iewes in the same sorte who thought theÌ„selues to be vnited vnto God because they had receiued the law the circumcision and other badges of the couenant Did he not say vnto them reprehending that vaine considence which they put in these outward things Beholde thou art called a Iewe Rom. 2.17 and restest in the law and gloriest in God and knowest his will allowest all things that are excellent in that thou art instructed by the law and perswadest thy selfe that thou art a guide of the blinde a light of them which are in darkenesse an instructor of them which lacke discretion a teacher of the vnlearned which hast the forme of knowledge of the truth in the law Thou therefore which teachest another teachest not thou thy selfe Thou that preachest a man should not steale doest thou steale Thou that sayest a man shoulde not commit adultery doest thou commit adultery Thou that abhorrest Idoles committest thou sacrilege Thou that gloriest in the lawe through breaking the law dishonourest thou God And a litle after he doth conclude verse 28. For he is not a Iewe which is one outward neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh but he is a Iew which is one within c. If then the onely obseruation of the ceremonies of the lawe though they were ordained of God and auctorised by his worde were neuerthelesse vnable to knit the people vnto God howe commeth it to passe that the Apostates are so foolishe as to thinke that for hauing betaken themselues to papistry againe that is to say for hauing returned to their owne vomit and abhomination they are entred againe into the couenant of God who is the God of them onely that by faith words and workes doe professe and shewe that they are and will continue his people for euer If â—hen thou hast withdrawne thee from it and â—o cause thy selfe to be in account amongest â—hine owne thou doest declare openly and blamely with a shamelesse face that thou wilt neuer be of that number againe Art thou so vnwise as to beleue that God will be a father â—nto him by force who doth disdaine him and doth refuse to be of his people and to be accounted in his house among his children Moreouer since there is no agreemeÌ„t betwene Christ and Beliall 2. Cor. 6.15 1. Cor. 10.21 and that No man can be partaker of the Lorde his table and of the table of Deuils Hauing reiected Iesus Christ his part â—n betaking himselfe to Antichrist and his company and returning to the masse renounced the death sacrifice of the sonne of God Art thou so brutish as to thinke that denying Iesus Christ to be thy brother Iohn 1. his father can account thee for his sonne considering that â—e is the onely author meane of our adoption and that with out him God doth not onely not hold vs for his freindes and confederates but doth esteeme vs for his mortall foes And therefore S. Rom. 5. Paule doth exhort vs to withdraw our selues from the companye of Idolaters and Infidels if we desire that God should adopt vs to be his children 2. Cor. 6.17 Come oâ— sayeth he from among them and seperate youâ— selues sayth the Lorde and touch no vnclean thing and I will receiue you and I will be a father vnto you and ye shall be my sonnes and daughters sayth the Lord almighty 1. Ioh. 2.23 Saint Iohn sayeth that whosoeuer confesseth the sonne hath also the father and contrarily whosoeuer denieth the sonne the same hath not the father that iâ— the reason wherefore when he was circumcised the name of Immanuell was giuen him to leâ— vs vnderstand that there is none but he alone that can cause vs to come neere vnto God and set vs into his
couenant making vs partaken of his grace of the remission of al our sinneâ— by the perfect obedience which he yeelded in our name Phil. 1. euen to indure for vs the death of the crosse and to beare the curse which was inioyned by the law Gal. 3. to the end he might acquite vs. Considering then that Iesus Christ is the only mediator of the agreement and couenant which may be handled betweene God men and that the Apostates departing to Antichrist his side do separate themselues from him thence it may be inferred necessarily that they are without God being without Christ as Saint Paule shewed the Ephesians writing to them after this maner Ephe. 2.11 Remember that ye being in time past Gentils in the flesh and called vncircumcision of them which are called circumcision â—n the flesh made with handes that ye were I say â—t that time without Christ and were aliens from â—he common wealth of Israell and were strangers from the couenantes of promise and had no hope and were without God in the world If then these who had not as yet beene called by the preaching of the Gospell during the time of their â—gnorance and infidelity were reputed by the Apostle to be without God because they were without Christ howe much more by greater â—eason may we auouch the same of those who â—fter they haue bene illuminated and had tasted of the word of God and also beene made partakers of the Holy Ghost being willingly departed from the knowledge of the trueth which they had receiued haue trode the sonne of God vnder their feete and esteemed the blood of the couenaÌ„t wherby they were sanctified a thing prophane committed so horrible an iniury against the spirite of grace It must then be concluded that as the Apostates haue treacherously forsaken God so he for his parte hath iustly renounced them and giuen them ouer for a pray as sayth the Prophet Psal 81.12 I gaue them vp vnto the hardnes of their heart and they haue walked in their owne counsailes and also as sayeth the Apostle as they haue made 〈◊〉 account to acknowledge God Rom. 1.28 so God hath giuen them vp to a spirite voyde of all iudgement that they may commit things which are not seemely These are then the guides which these poore blinde men haue to lead and counsell them in their affaires Rom. 8. namely the concupiscence of their owne peruerse heartes a reason altogether dulled Ephe. 2. their vnbridled senses the wisedome of the fleshe which is nothing else but death and ouer and besides all that the Deuill who is the prince of darkenes and the spirit that doth worke in the children of disobedience being thus guided can they faile sone to stumble into the pit As the Apostates are without God so are they without Christ Chap. 7. VVE haue shewed in the chapiter going before that the Apostates are without God Let vs now shew that they are also without Christ without a Mediator which shall be very easie to do 1. Tim. 2.5 For as there is but one God as the Apostle sayth so there is but one Mediatour betweene God and men namely Iesus Christ Furthermore as Iesus Christ is a Mediator of the new couenant to reconcile the chosen to God the father make him to be their God as he is his and that with full assurance they may lay hold of him and call vpon him as their father Ioh. 17.2 so God doth giue them vnto his sonne to instruct and lead them to saluation and vnto the life to which they are ordeined So that it can not be but that he that hath the Eternall for his God hath also Iesus Christ for his Mediator and contrariwise he that is depriued of the one must be also bereaued of the other Moreouer following Antichrist making open profession of his religion as wel by workes as by wordes and bearing his name his badge his cognisance how can they appertaine to Iesus Christ seing he is a mortall enemy vnto him 2. Thes 2.8 Matt. 6.24 and Whome he shall consume with with the spirite of his mouth and shall abolishe with the brightnesse of his comming None sayd Iesus Christ can serue two masters Especially when their natures and dispositions be so farre different and disagreeing How then can it be possible to set at one Iesus Christ with the Pope Whose doctrine life manners counsels and ende are altogether contrary And if they can not be made to agree betwene themselues Matth. 12.30 how is it possible that one man should betake himselfe to them both Also He that is nor with Christ is against him he that gathereth not with him scattereth As he said himselfe to note his and causeth them to be knowne A man may then be knowne to be a Christian when he is vnited with his head vnseparably and that with him he doeth labour to gather that is to say to make the Church populous and to increase multiply the number of the citizens of the kingdome of God When as then there is any man seene who contrarily doth striue glory to employ all his meanes and power to hinder the establishing of the Church and who withdraweth all those he can fearing nothing more then to see it to take roote or hath greater despite then to see it to florishe and beare fruite may it not be sayd of him when he is so bent and animated against Iesus Christ that he is his enemy and a true member of Antichrist Sithens he fighteth with so great a courage to defende and maintaine him in that kingdome and possession which he hath partly by craft and hypocrisie and all such euill and wicked meanes partely by violence and too too great fauour which some vndiscreete princes haue borne him vsurped vpon the sonne of God whome he hath robbed of his glory and of all his prerogatiues and dignities striuing yet at this with his adherents to burye wholly the remeÌ„brance of his name Furthermore considering the case standeth so that by two markes those are knowen who do belonge to Iesus Christ Ioh. 18. namely when they are not of the world and be of the truth who will say that the Apostates appertaine vnto him who haue forsaken him and his company to returne to the world For Papistry whereto they haue retired 1. Ioh. 2.16 is nothing els but the world that is to say the lust of the flesh the lust of the eâ—es the pride of life And there is neither Realme nor Empire vpon the earth wherein sloth dainties pleasures whoredomes dissolutenes pride banqueting feasting ambition with all kind of vanities and excesse abound more then in the Romaine Court and in the pallaces of their Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Abbots and Priors neither wherein there are men more effeminate and corrupt then those who followe the Popish Court By reason whereof the heares of women are attributed vnto them
more accursed for hauing bene being at this day liars couÌ„terfaits in their religion both true and false Dauid sayth speaking to God Psal 5.6 Thou shalt destroy them that speake lies the Lord will abhor the bloody man deceitfull O good God that these poore soules could open their eies see the miserable estate vnto which they are brought at this present for being destitute of the spirit of God they are nothing els but flesh Gen. 5. Esay 40. that is to say a lumpe of sin filth corruption are bondslaues vnto Satan seruants vnto sin death For there is no liberty but only where the spirit of God is they can not any more vnderstand or conceiue the things that are of God which also they esteme as foolish 2. Cor. 1. 1. Cor. 1. because they cannot be vnderstood discerned but onely spiritually So being not any more illuminated nor lightned by the spirit of God they haue neither wil nor desire to search for their saluatioÌ„ no guide to find it out nor vnderstaÌ„ding to comprehend it but haue a spirit of sluÌ„ber as the Apostle saith Eies that they shuld not see Rom. 11.8 eares that they shuld not heare And are of the number of those of whom Dauid writeth Psal 63.23 Let their eies be blind that they se not make their loâ—nes alwates to treÌ„ble Moreouer of whom can they receiue coÌ„fort in their aduersities being not assisted with the spirit of God Who is the great comforter that Iesus Christ promised to his Apostles and to all the faithful to cheare Ioh. 14.16 coÌ„fort theÌ„ in their afflictoÌ„s to mitigate the sharpe bitter potions which they were to drinke in following him bearing his crosse after him Furthermore without this spirite what streÌ„gth haue they left to beare the harsh stroÌ„g teÌ„ptations wherwith meÌ„ are coÌ„tinually assalted both inwardly outwardly Is not this the crooke of our shepherd vnder whose coÌ„duct the shepe may be assured of their safety Finally is not he the fire water which can burne our concupiscences heat vs in the loue of God wash away our filth water our heartes to make them beare fruite 1. Cor. 3. quench the thirst that we haue of the grace of God and of the life eternall and to sanctifie vs and consecrate vs wholly to God to be his temples to inhabite eternally Psal 51.7 Is not this the Isope whereby we are so purged that we become as white as snowe and as wooll that commeth from the fuller It is he that doeth create in vs a hearte wholly pure and a newe life who doeth put of from vs the olde man that he may put on vs the newe who printeth in vs the image of God and maketh vs newe creatures who doth draw our hearts from the earth to lift them vp wholly vnto heauen who doth open our lips and fill our mouthes with the praises of God who guideth our steps in the pathes waies of righteousnes causeth vs not to go astray out of them We ought then to maruell if Dauid desired with so great affection that he woulde continue those things vnto him Psal 51.11 Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and strengthen me with thy free spirit For we can not haue a better schoolemaister to instruct vs nor a better counsellour to direct vs in all our affaires nor a better guide to lead vs safely in all our waies nor a better champion to defende vs nor to conclude a better or a more faithfull friende to sustaine and vpholde vs in aduersities least we should faint in them or be discomfited and hold vs short in prosperity least it shoulde cary vs away and make vs forget our dutie and also reprehende vs freely of all the faultes which we shall commit to cause vs to repent and to turne againe Seeing then the great commodities that doe redound vnto vs thereby when as we are once indued with the same ought we not carefully to take heede to retaine him still with vs Doing nothing that either may be greeuous vnto him or driue him away from vs For as soone as he departeth from vs Ephe. 4. the Deuill taketh place in vs to gouerne vs. 1. Sam. 15. Ioh. 13.27 Which we see euidently in the examples of Saule and Iudas and God knoweth howe they are handled that fall into the handes of such a squire who neuer ceaseth as sayth S. Augustine to gallop him on whom he is once gotten vp therough clouen rockes through bushes and through quagmires vntill such time as he hath cast him away headlong and spoiled him in all pointes which any man of iudgement may obserue in the Apostates who abiding with vs had yet some appearance and shewe of religion and vertue Matt. 7.15 and though they were hypocrites and wolues disguised in sheepes clothing yet they liued more continently in our Churches then they haue done since they forsooke them their malice being suppressed within their heartes partly because of the word of God which was preached vnto them and the exhortations which were made continually and partly by the example of many notable personages and vertuous people which they sawe among vs but especially by the discipline which we obserue and the punishmentes which are ordained for the offendors and for those who would liue dissolutely But when they had shaken of the yoke altogether and left the Church of Iesus Christ which is gouerned by his word by his spirit to returne to the Synagogue which is gouerned by the spirit of the Deuill and Antichrist Esay 59. Apoc. 9. 13. it hath not beene long but they haue shewed the exchange which they made and by what spirite they are nowe led for there is no vice that seemeth too abhominable vnto them there is neither shame feare nor religion that can hinder them from blaspheming seruing of Idoles deceiuing quaffing whoring committing all things without regard or shame to which the Deuill their lusts do lead theÌ„ I know some whose credit names at this time I spare who since their Apostasie are so out of frame that notwithstanding they be already very aged and euen vpoÌ„ the edge of their graue yet there is no law shame nor feare that can bridle their losenes licentiousnes which they grant to their flesh to seke take without any nay all pleasures wherein they doe iustifie our Churches as it hath beene said in which they were constrained whilest they abode in the to be more precise in their manners and conuersation then they are and to shew in them at least a greater appearaÌ„ce of vertue honesty then they haue done since they departed from them As the Apostates haue giuen ouer God which is the author of life so also they do contemne those meanes which they may
Lorde and to departe from euill And heare what the wisedome of God sayth by Salomon Prou. 1.24 Because I haue called and ye refused I haue stretched out my hande and none woulde regarde but ye haue despised all my counsell and woulde none of my correction I will also laugh at you destruction and mocke when your feare commeth like sodayne desolation and your destruction shall come like a whirlewinde when affliction and anguish shall come vppon you then shall they call vpon me but I will not answer they shall seeke me earely but shall not finde me because they hated knowledge and did not choose the feare of the Lorde They woulde none of my counsell but despised all my correction therefore shall they eate of the fruite of their owne way and be filled with their owne deuises for ease slayeth the foolishe and the prosperitie of fooles destroyeth them But he that obeyeth me shall dwell safely and be quiet from feare of euill It is recorded of Fabius Maximus that in prolonging the time he stayed and aswaged by litle and litle the fiercenesse of Hanniball and by delay he deliuered the common wealth of Rome from the greatest perill that euer befell vnto it by reason whereof the wise worldlings vse of tentimes dissimulation and leasure in their affaires and condemne swiftnesse and speedinesse for great rashnesse and in trueth for those who haue to doe amongest men it is requisite to haue a stayed and well settled wit that doeth not hasten too muche but ponder and weigh wisely all counsels and all reasons before it conclude what to do For as the Grecians say the latter thoughtes are commonly the wisest and best but towardes God there is nothing more dangerous then to delay nor more necessarye to saluation then a swiftnesse and readinesse to heare and put in practise that whiche God commaundeth vs because he commaundeth nothing but with reason and for the great benefite of those that obey him Let vs not then be slacke But let vs cast away euery thing that presseth downe Heb. 12.1.2 and the sin that so easily compasseth vs about let vs run with patience the race that is set before vs looking vnto Iesus the author finisher of our faith who for the ioy that was set before him indured the crosse and despised the shame and is set at the right hand of the throne of God Cōsider ye delayers him who hath suffered such gainesaying of sinners against himselfe that you giue not ouer in your heartes 1. Cor. 9.24 Know ye not that they which runne in a race runne all yet one receiueth the price So runne that ye may obtaine See that ye despise not him that speaketh Heb. 12.25 for if they escaped not which refused him that spake on earth much more shall we not escape if we turne away from him that speaketh from heauen Pray ye vnto him that he may breake the nets which holde you so intangled and that he vnwrap you out of all those vayne feares and desires which hinder you and cause you to let his spirite from directing you in doing his will Psa 119.32 Say vnto him as sayth Dauid I will runne the way of thy commandementes when thou shalt inlarge mine hearte Furthermore I will keepe thy statuts forsake me not ouerlong Tertullian speaketh that which we shall finde daily to be most true that is that our flesh which by nature is rebellie us against thē will of God can not stoope to submit and suffer it selfe to be tied to the yoke of his worde but will still striue to the contrary And as it is craftie and politike and hath euer some subtiltie and sophistrie to flotter her selfe in her iniquitie and doeth alleage alwaies an excuse to those that do exhort her to do her dutie when they vrge her somewhat more instantly to doe any thing which is against her will and when one of her reasons be answered she doeth presently inuent an other to make reply againe so that she findeth as manye or more shiftes and exceptions to excuse her from doing well then an onion hath skinnes to couer it selfe But we oughte to thinke or at least we shoulde thinke with whome we haue to deale and that we dispute in vayne against God who as Dauid sayeth Psal 44.21 Psal 138.6 Knoweth the secretes of the hearte And as in an other place For though the Lorde bee highe yet hee behouldeth the lowlye For euery thinge that hee commaundeth and whatsoeuer hee doeth is most iustly and most wisely done and there is nothing in all his counsailes his wordes and his workes that is not void of all blame or reproofe Psal 111.8 As the Prophet sayth All his statutes are established for euen and euer and are done in truth and equitie Wherefore it were most safe and expedient for vs when God speaketh to stoppe our mouthes continually to reply nothing against that he sayth to open our eares and to hearken attentiuely to that which pleaseth him to command vs and to be alwayes ready to craue his grace to obey and execute chearefully his will For we can not offer vnto him a more acceptable sacrifice then a readye and willing obedience But to shewe how friuolous the excuses are which the delayers cōmonly bring forth to acquite themselues from performing their dutie and entring into the Church which is the onely place where they ought to seeke and are able to find their saluation We wil examine some of them more perticularly to the end we may see what shewe of ground they can haue The commonest is for the most part that which all vse to alledge the feare that they haue of falling into those dangers whereunto they see those layd open who would withdrawe themselues from the company of Antichrist to follow Iesus Christ But nowe I demaund of them whether the feare of God ought not to take place and be preferred before all other feares And whether as the loue of God which commaundeth vs to loue him with all our hart with all our strength ought to be the rule of al other our affectiōs So also the feare of God ought not so to gouerne all other feares that we loue and dread him as much or rather more then any other thing But if this true feare which is the chiefe and principal point of true wisedom and godlines Prou. 1.7 were well imprinted in our hartes it woulde streight way chase away all other vaine feare as Saint Augustine sayth Wilt thou feare nothing sayth he feare God And experience hath proued in all honest persons of time past who walking vprightly in their calling and setting alway before their eyes the fauour and grace of God which did assist them in all their wayes were not daunted with any danger that could happen vnto them Exod. 14. Had Moses any feare and dread of Pharaoh when he sawe himselfe and all the people which he ledde inclosed betweene the sea