shops in lawe in physicke in mathematickâ—s c. Many knowe little some nothing or very weakely or vnperfectly In the matters of God how ignorant and senseles are we Nichodemus a great Docter in Israel cannot vnderstand or conceiue the doctrine of regeneration it is a thing incredible to him that a man should be borne againe The naturall man perceiueth not the things of God for they are foolishnes vnto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned yea the spirituall man himself though he discerneth all things that are reuealed to him by the spirit yet he hath not full and perfect knowledge in this life perfect felicitie is in the life to come and though wisedome be not that felicitie yet it is the way to attaine vnto it and the studie of it is sweete good and profitable it is as sault to season and as honie to sweeten all cares troubles and sorrowes whatsoeuer it is as a precious medicine to cure all maladies to comfort vs in the greatest distresse and dangers and though those which be ignorant and knowe nothing may seeme to be happie because of their ignorance and because they are free from the care and sorrowes of wisedome yet their cares and griefes are worse and greater they are in danger and know it not they cannot discerne good from euill and therefore let them remember this counsell let them lighteÌ„ themselues with the light of knowledge before they goe out of the darkenes of this world lest they passe froÌ„ darkenes to darkenes yea to euerlasting darkenes Some may yet obiect How is there happines in wisedome whereas many which professe and preach it and are of great knowledge yet prophane without religion conscience or pietie their life most vngodly and wicked are these men happie We answere that they are farre from true happines and wisedome Salomon accounteth all men vnregenerated and wicked to be very fooles and so vnhappie wretches Ambrose teposeth a happie life in honestie that is in the tranquilitie of conscience and securitie of innocencie and therefore confuting the Philosophers of whom some placed a happie life in not sorrowing as Ieronimus some in the knowledge of things as Herillus some in pleasure as Epicurus some haue ioyned to this honestie as Calipho and Diadorus some in vertue as Aristotle and his sect But the Scripture sayth he placeth a blessed life in the knowledge of Diuinitie and the fruite of good working It is eternall life sayth Christ to know God and Iesus Christ whom he hath sent Dauid sayeth Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and delighteth greatlie in his commandements so that innocencie and knowledge maketh men happie Againe wisedome hath no fellowship with vices it hath an inseparable coniunction with other vertues No man is wise which knoweth not God The foole not the wise man sayeth There is no God How is hee a wise man which knoweth not his Creator How is hee wise which feareth not God seeing the feare of God is the beginning of wisedome Onely that wisedome which is of God is wholesome and sauing which according to the definition of Saint Iames is both pure and peaceable for the wisedome of the flesh is voluptuous not pure the wisedome of the world is tumultuous and troublesome not peaceable the wisedome of God is first pure not seeking her owne but that which is Iesus Christs not doing her owne will but considering what is the will of God Secondly it is peaceable not abounding in her owne sense but resting more vpon the counsell and iudgement of others Againe the sunne doth not warme all whom it shineth vpon so wisedome doth not alwayes giue power to those whom it teacheth to doe that which it teacheth It is one thing to knowe riches another thing to possesse them It is not knowledge that maketh rich but the possession of it There be some which desire to knowe to that end onely that they might know and this is filthie curiositie and there be which desire to know onely to sell their knowledge for money for honor and this is filthie lucre and there be which desire to know that they themselues may be knowne and this is filthie vanitie and there bee that desire to know to edifie others and this is charitie and there be that desire to know to be edified of others and this is prudence The first wisedome is a laudable life and a pure minde before God whereby the pure are ioyned to the pure and the holie are coupled to the holie That is excellent wisedome not which flyeth in words but which consisteth in vertues so that happines consisteth not onely in knowing but also in working if you know these things saith Christ happie are you if you doe them Againe blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepeth it and the hearers of the lawe are not righteous before God but the docrs of the lawe shall be iustified And S. Iohn faith Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this prophecie and keepe those things written therein And S. Iames saith Who so looketh in the perfect lawe of libertie and continueth therein he not being a forgetfull hearer but a doer of the worke shall be blessed in his deed Indeed God bestowed vpon prephane men and very reprobates many great and excellent gifts they may haue the word of wisedome the word of knowledge a kind of faith gifts of healing operations of great workes and prophecie discerning of spirits diuersities of tongues the interpretation of tongues and these are the workes of Gods spirit and yet these may be vnhappie and cursed men and neuer partakers of true felicitie Saul prophecieth so doth Balaam so did Caiphas Iudas was a preacher and an Apostle but not euery one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth my Fathers will which is heaueÌ„ saith our Sauiour Many will say to me in that day Lord Lord haue we not by thy name prophecied and by thy name cast out diuels and by thy name done many great works then will I professe to them I neuer knewe you Depart from me you that worke iniquitie God doth bestow such great gifts vpon wicked men that his power might be knowne in vsing such instruments to his owne glory to the good of others and to their coÌ„demnation so the Lord also maketh a differeÌ„ce betwixt those gifts which he bestoweth vpon the wicked and such speciall graces as he doth giue to his owne children to these he giues the knowledge of saluation by remission of their sinnes through his tender mercy wherby the day springeth froÌ„ on hie visiting theÌ„ he giueth them light eueÌ„ the Sun of righteousnes shining froÌ„ heauen to guide their feete in the way of peace that is to all true happines and felicitie These are his beloued which he hath chosen to saluation from the beginning sanctifying
and a sincere loue to the word And aboue all things let vs pray hartily and continually to the father and founder of all good gifts for the blessings of all good lessons and instructions to our soules let vs confesse our owne weakenes and say in our soules with the spouse to her husband Christ Drawe me and we will runne after thee Finally let vs pray with Dauid be beneficiall to thy seruant that I may liue and keepe thy word open mine eyes that I may see the wonders of thy lawes I will runne the waies of thy commandements when thou shalt inlarge my heart Teach me ô Lord the way of thy statutes and I will keepe it to the end Giue me vnderstanding and I will keepe thy lawe yea I will keepe it with my whole heart Direct me in the path of thy commandements for therein is my delight Incline my heart to thy testimonies and not to couetousnes turne away my eyes from regarding vanitie and quicken me in thy way Looke vpon me and be mercifull to me as thou vsest to doe to those that feare thy name Direct my steppes in thy word and let none iniquitie haue dominion ouer me Teach me to doe thy will for thou art my God Let thy good spirit lead me vnto the land of righteousnes And in an other place Teach me thy way ô Lord and I will walke in thy truth Knit my heart to thee that I may feare thy name And let vs pray with the Prophet Ieremie Heale me ô Lord and I shal be whole saue me and I shall be saued for thou aâ—t my praise turne thou vs vnto thee ô Lord and we shall be turned And indeed the calling and conuersion of a sinner is the great worke of God as great as the worke of our creation And indeed what is our conuersion but an new creation for God that commandeth light to shine out of darknes is he which shineth in the he arts of his children conuerted It is he that must make both the eare and the heart tractable and flexible It is he that both must make vs willing to doe good and also able to doe good It is he that must inwardly perswade the heart and by his spirit teach vs inwardly before we can be truely conuerted Let therefore ministers of the word giue attendance to reading exhortation and doctrine Let them stirre vp the grace of God that worthy thing in them Let them be faithfull and wise stewards in disposing the secrets of God Let them preach sincerely diligently and feruently Let their affections and life be vpright and holie Let them be wholy possessed with the desire of Gods glory with the loue of Christ and with loue to the soules of the people and then their ministrie shall be acceptable to God If not powerful to conuert yet to confound their recompence shall be with the Lord their labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord. We are vnto God saith the Apostle the sweet Sauiour of Christ in them which are saued and in them which perish to the one we are the Sauiour of death vnto death and to the other a Sauiour of life vnto life and who is sufficient for these things And seeing that Paul is nothing Apollos is nothing but the effect and blessing is of God Let them striue and wrastle with them by humble and hartie prayer continually vehemently priuately and openly for the assistance of his spirit and the blessing of their labours that he would perswade Iapheth that he might dwell in the tents of Shem that he would circumcise the hearts and eares of the people and take from them the vaile that hindreth as ignorance prophanes vnbeleefe hardnes of heart and such like That he would power water vpon the thirstie and floods vpon the drie ground That hee would take away their stonie hearts and giue them hearts of flesh that so they might walke in his statutes finally that he would giue them vnderstanding hearts that they might be fulfilled with the knowledge of his will in all wisedome That they may discerne the things that differ that they may be pure and without offence vntill the day of Christ That they may walke worthy of the Lord and please him in all things that the same signes of conuersion may be seene in their people as were truely found in this woman And indeed many if not all the notes of good hearers which in the beginning I obserued in her are true signes and notes of her calling In that she takes so great paines and bestowes so much cost to seeke for true wisedome In that she is so carefull to enquire and search out the truth of religion In that she speaketh and thinketh so reuerently of Salomon her teacher reposing true happines in true wisedome and stirreth vp others to be of her minde these and sundrie other are signes and tokens of her conuersion She speaketh not like a Pagan Heathen or Idolater but like a worshipper of the true God she blesseth him and confesseth him to be the disposer of kingdomes and acknowledgeth Israell to be Gods people and howsoeuer before either by secret inspiration or by report she heard of the true God of his worship and of Salomons wisedome yet now she doth fullie taste the truth of it in her owne soule the secrets of her hearts are made manifest shee worshippeth God and saith plainely that God was in that place The diuine wisedome of Salomon had parswaded this daughter of Iapheth to come to the tents of Shem to be a member of the visible Church and to imbrace the truth of religion and no doubt she went ioyfully home and indeuoured by all meanes possible to establish the lawe and worship of the true God in her owne countrie Our Sauiour as you haue heard commended this woman and ioyneth her with the Niniuites who no doubt truely repented though many of them fell away afterwards It is true that all the Kings of the earth sought the presence of Salomon to heare his wisedome that God had put in his heart as we may see in this chapter I doe not say that all these were called and conuerted It may be many of them came to heare and see newes rather for humane then diuine wisedome to see the glory and royaltie of Salomon the beautie of the Temple and his Pallace which he had builded or vpon some other sinister respects Among so many this woman is especially named singled out and commended yea a whole storie is recorded of her and not of the rest the cause of her comming was religion She lost not her labour but got fruit and profit by her comming and sheweth plaine testimonies of her conuersion Indeed something is said of King Hyram that he euer loued Dauid and when he hard the words of Salomon he reioyced greatly and said Blessed be the Lord this day which hath giuen to Daâ—id a
grace this woman would haue the courtiers and seruants of Salomon to coÌ„fesse that blessing which she had found in hauing so wise a gouerner and teacher Seuenthly she reioyceth and blesseth God for Salomons instructions so that is the dutie of good hearers as to be thankefull to the men and meanes of their conuersion so much more to God the author and giuer of all good as Dauid blessed Abâ—gaâ—l so first of all he blessed God for her counsell And the same Dauid saith to the Lord I will praise thee with an vpright heart when I shall learne the iudgeâ—ments of thy righteousnes And againe seauen times a day doe I praise thee because of thy righteous iudgements And in another place he exhorteth Ierusalem to praise God as for peace and plentie so chiefely for that he had shewed his word to Iacob his statutes and iudgements to Israel he hath not dealt so with euery nation saith he neither haue they knowne his iudgements praise ye the Lord. Our Sauiour himselfe reioyceth in his spirit and giueth thankes to his heauenly Father for the good successe of the Gospell when Phillip preached in Samaria with great power profit there was great ioy in that Citie the Infidel being conuerted by the preaching of the word blesseth God Eightly good hearers after this royall example are to be bountifull and thankefull to their teachers she giues vnto Salomon abundance of gold sweet odours exceeding much as you may see in the next verse following this our text It may be some will say that Salomoâ— had no need of such gifts hauing such abundance of wealth and riches It is true yet he doth accept it and requiteth her kindnes with precious presents and gaue her whatsoeuer she asked so that she went home richer then she came richer I am sure in grace and diuine wisedome yet in giuing Salomon such precious gifts she shewed her thankefulnes thinking nothing too deare for such a teacher And though the ministers be not able to requite the kindnesses and liberalities of men yet God is able to doe it and he hath promised to blesse and reward all true friends and benefactors to his seruants And yet the people must knowe that they receiue from good ministers more gaine and profit then they doe from them the ministers they offer and deliuer heauenly misteries the Iewells and treasures of the word the spirituall foode of the soule which is more precious then thousands of gold and siluer they receiue from the people onely earthly and outward maintenance prouision and substance for this bodie and life and therefore the people haue no cause to grudge the maintenance of good ministers seeing if they make their accounts aright the gaine is theirs The Apostle saith Such as labour in word and doctrine are worthie of double honor That is of reuerence and munificence And againe Let him that is taught in the word make him that hath taught him partaker of all his goods they that sowe spirituall things are worthie to reape temporall things And the Lord hath ordained that they that preach the Gospell should liue of the Gospell It is the law of nature equitie and thankfulnes that such should be maintained being spirituall pastors fathers and souldiers and spending themselues as a candle for the common good The good Shunamite is kinde and liberall to Elisha the Prophet not suffring him to want either foode or lodging Holie women in the Gospell ministred vnto Christ and maintained him of their owne substance Cornelius kindly entertaineth Peter Lâ—dea euen constrained Paul and his companie to come to her house And the Iaylor conuerted refresheth Paule and Silaâ— his prisoners And thus you may plainly see in this worthie example eight notes and markes of good hearers Some before this Texte some in this text and some after and these notes doe containe and comprehend the whole storie of this worthie Queene And now because this whole text is a praise and commendation of Salomon let vs learne from hence that vertue and wisedome is to be commended in whom soeuer we finde it A man saith Salomonâ— shal be commended for his wisedome and not only great personages but the poorest are to be commended for vertue Better is a poore nise childe saith Salomon then an olde and foolish King which will no more be admonished And againe Better is Wisedome then strength Yet the wisedome of the poore is despised And in an other place Better is the poore that walketh in his vprightnes then he that peruerteth his wayes though hee be rich Saint Iames reprooueth this parcialitie in men who esteeme highlie and magnifie rich men bee they neuer so wicked and despise poore men such as are chosen of God rich in Faith and heyreâ— of the Kingdome Those that honor mee shall be honoured saith the Lorde and those that despise mee shall be despised God himselfe commendeth and praiseth such He saith of Iob that he was an vpright and iust man one that feared GOD and eschued euill Christ commendeth Iohn the Baptist saying There was not a greater Prophet amongst womens children Zacharie the Priest and his wife Elizabeth are said both by the holie Ghost to bee iust before God and to walke in all the commandements of God without reproofe And Simeon is saide to bee a iust man fearing God and wayting for the consolation of Israel And Christ writing to the seuen Churches Though hee hath something against most of them worthie of blame and reproofe yet hee commendeth anie good thing in them Yea he especially commendeth the church of Smyrna though in persecution and pouertie accounting it rich in grace and spirituall treasures So that it is lawfull and it is our dutie to commend and praise vertue and goodnes in anie the behauiour of good men is such as deserueth draweth loue and praise And this doth incourage them to go forward in goodnes and doth prouoke others to follow their example as the shadow doth follow the bodie so Honor and praise doth follow vertue sometime the wicked doe praise their vertues and are forced to commend them and though they doe it not yet righteous men commonly will praise them and the more godly wise that men are the more praise they deserue and we must take heed that our praise be moderate iust and without flatterie aboue all things we must take heed that we praise not without cause and desert that we neuer iustifie nor commeÌ„d the wicked remembring that there is a fearefull woe pronounced against them that speake good of euill euill of good The vse of this doctrine is for the reproofe of many as of those that are so blind and senseles that they cannot see and discerne the grace of God in men others are so dumbe and vnthankfull that though they be partakers of many graces from others which they must needs see
to worke in all manner of worke-manship And beholde I haue ioyned with him Aholiab the sonne of Ahisamah of the tribe of Dan and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted haue I put wisdome to make all that I haue commanded thee By the which place wee may see that wisedome and skill to doe such workes is the gifte of GOD and the wisedome of God doth not take away or ouerthrowe the wisedome of the worlde in Sciences gouernments or Trades but rather it doeth helpe and cure the errors and faultes that are in humane wisedome the preseruation of Kingdomes and Cities consisteth in peace iustice and mercie but all these are commended and commanded in the Gospell All ciuill vertues as Chastitie Temporance Iustice Fortitude are made better by the Gospell What is the ouerthrow of Kingdomes and of Countreys but notorious vices and sinnes As Prophanenes Atheisme Idolatrie disobedience Murthers Adulteries and such like but Gods wisedome doth reproue contemne and ouerthrow all such vices There are some things common betwixt humane and diuine wisedome as in both there are proofes from causes and effects things necessarie and things profitable are distinguished arguments are disposed in iust order and in fit wordes in both there are definitions diuisions collections but yet great difference betweene humane and diuine wisedome The one doth follow the light of nature the other is guided by the Spirit and by Faith The one doeth drawe her principles from the Sences from Obseruation and Experience the other doeth altogether wholie and onely rest vpon the worde of God The one doth dispose of speeches and actions according to the nature of the hearers and businesses The other is alwayes like her selfe laying open the sinnes of men and the wrath of God against them offering CHRIST and his benefites to all beleeuing and repenting sinners and finallie vrging amendment and newnes of life This is the summe and course of Gods wisdome without alteration Againe the wisedome of the world doth deuise vtter eloquent speeches and fine sentences the wisdome of God doth vse fit graue simple plaine words the other doth boast it selfe doth lift vp the mindes of men this doth humble and cast them downe Now seeing there are so many and great differences how can they agree together and euer be reconciled And therefore the wisedome of God accounteth the wisdom of the world foolishnes and the Lord speaketh basely of the wisdome of this worlde esteeming counting it meere foolishnes And yet there is a lawfull vse of ciuill wisedome in this life but in the life to come it hath no vse at all this heere is not to bee contemned but may bee vsed and hath many commodities in this world but it doth nothing profit to saluation it must not meddle with Gods wisedome to check or controule it but rather submit her selfe to it as a seruant and hand-maid and to keeepe her selfe within her owne compasse and limits and yet this wisedome hath her worthinesse and excellencie it is more excellent then riches pleasure or strength for what are all these without wisedome and therefore the Wise man sayeth That wisedome is good with an inheritance and excellent to them that see the sunne his meaning is that heritages goods lands are the gifts of God but wisedome is farre more excellent and may be without them but riches or pleasures without wisedome will doe vs more hurt then good Againe he sayeth Wisedome shall strengthen the wise man more then ten mightie princes that are in the citie Yet most doe glorie in riches and hunt after pleasures and few regard humane wisedome and learning moe are foolish simple and sottish that way then wise Great good and profit comes by the knowledge of naturall things for they doe publish the praise of the Creator and from them we may learne to know the Creator The heauens declare the glorie of God and the firmament sheweth his handie worke But this knowledge is sufficient to make men excusable but not sufficient to saluation But all ciuill humane wisedome is but a shadow in respect of true wisedome which doth excell al other as the heauen doth excell the earth this commeth and proceedeth from the holie of holiest as it were from the kings secret closet the other from the common treasurie as it were from the outward courts of the kings pallace true wisedome is bestowed onely vpon Gods friends the other vpon his enemies also It may be demaunded then of what wisedome this woman speaketh which she calleth the wisedome of Salomon and counteth them blessed that heareth it It is true that Salomon excelled in the knowledge of naturall things of liberall sciences and of publicke priuate gouernment It is said before in this booke that God gaue Salomon wisedome and vnderstanding exceeding much and a large heart euen as the sand that is on the sea shore Salomons wisedome excelled the wisedome of all the childreÌ„ of the East al the wisedome of Egypt for he was wiser theÌ„ any man he was famous throughout all nations round about But this woman came to be instructed and satisfied in things concerning the name of the Lord she came to Ierusalem where was the Law the Temple Salomon she had no doubt at home many Philosophers many wise learned meÌ„ which could sufficieÌ„tly instruct her in the knowledge of naturall worldly mattâ—â— but they could not satisfie her in her doubts coÌ„cerning religion Againe the effect power wrought in her heart by this wisedome driueth her to great admiration she reposeth felicitie in it it wrought in her grace religion confessing worshipping the true God and acknowledging Israel to be Gods people No wit of man no ciuil or humane wisedome hath any such power to worke such a worke Now that Salomon was a Prophet full of diuine wisedome his works extant amongst vs doe proue it I meane his three worthie bookes of the Prouerbes Canticles Ecclesiastes which are Canonicall and his true bookes in the Hebrew Canon I pray you consider with me the summe of the diuine matter contained in those bookes The Prouerbes are most excellent not humane but diuine all nations and tongues haue their peculiar prouerbs sentences and wittie counsels in fewe words setting out great matter There be sentences of Plato Aristotle Plutarch Seneca but there is great difference betwixt the Prouerbes and sentences of the wisest Gentiles and Prouerbs of Salomon for the other they are knowne in nature and many of them are prophane and filthie contrarie to faith and charitie but these are Propheticall sacred Scripture inspired by the Holy Ghost they containe many things which humane reason is not able to see nor comprehend they commend the word of God and teach true wisedome how we may attaine to it and stirre vp all to seeke and follow it they teach vs faith and pietie the true worship and feare of God the true loue of God and our
my affections and thoughts are not seldome but often in a day vpon thy word The blessed man his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth meditate day night But Dauid proceedeth and sheweth what profit and fruite he got by the reading hearing meditation such other exercises of the word he was not a simple senselesse vnprofitable and vnfruitefull hearer as many are which heare much and are neuer the better but he protesteth that by his exercise in the word he had gotten and learned wisedome yea more wisedome then his enemies more then all his teachers more then the ancient and that by the power of the word he refrained his feete from euery euill way and hated all the waies of falshood and that his chiefe care and desire was to keepe and practise the word but yet he confesseth that hâ— could not doe this of himselfe but that it was God that did inwardly teach him by his spirit and so tasting the sweetnes of Gods grace in him he found the word and promise of God more sweet to his mouth then honie it selfe You see what account and estimation Dauid had of true wisedome esteeming it his chiefest and greatest felicitie happie then are the true schollers and followers of wisedome And if this woman thus pronounce and account the hearers of Salomon to be so happie how happie are they which doe dayly heare the wisedome of Iesus Christ in the preaching and ministrie of the Gospell Blessed are your eyes for they see and your eares for they heare sayth our Sauiour Christ to his disciples and followers For verily I say vnto you that many Prophets and righteous men haue desired to see those things which you see and haue not seene them and to heare those things which you heare and haue not heard them Now in the ministrie of the Gospel wee heare and see Christ himselfe He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me sayth Christ of his Apostles and of all his faithfull ministers We beseech you as embassadors in Christs stead that you may be reconciled to God sayeth S. Paul And in another place he sayeth That Christ was described and pictured before their eyes by the preaching of the word It was not the outward hearing of Christ himselfe or the sight of his person that made meÌ„ blessed for the Iewes saw him Iudas and other enemies to Christ heard him and saw him often But blessed are they that haue not seene and yet haue beleeued Christ is heard and seene in the publike ministrie of the Gospell Wisedome hath sent forth her maidens and messengers to call and inuite vs to her feast and banquet happie are her guests happie are her disciples and followers to haue such messengers is a speciall and rare blessing of God In Iob it is accounted by Elihu as a speciall comfort in the greatest distresse and danger to haue a messenger an interpreter one of a thousand to declare vnto man his righteousnes then will God haue mercie vpon him and say Deliuer him that he goe not downe into the pit for I haue receiued a reconciliation By the which words we are taught that it is a sure token of Gods fauour and blessing towards sinners when he causeth his word to be preached to them This God promiseth to his people as a speciall mercie and he saith I will giue you Pastors according to my heart which shall feede you with knowledge and vnderstanding It is â—ESVS CHRIST the wisedome of all wisedoms that hath ascended and giuen giftes vnto men and hath ordained Pastors and Teachers for the gathering and building of his Church What is your Felicitie saith S. Paul to the Galathians For I beare you record that if it had ben possible you would haue pluckt out your owne eyes and haue giuen them mee And before he saieth That they receiued him as an Angell of God he commendeth them faithfull in Galatia because they esteemed it the greatest happines vnder Heauen to enioy the ministrie of such an Apostle and Preacher and faithfull messenger of wisdome And is it not a happy thing to haue the eyes of our soules opened to be turned from darknes to light and from the power of Sathan to God that so we may receiue forgiuenes of sinnes and inheritaÌ„ce among them which are sanctified And is it not true happines to haue our soules borne begotten by the immortall seede of Gods word and as Babes and children in CHRIST to be fed and nourished with the sweete and pure milke of eternall life and this is donâ— by the ministrie of wisedome And is not this Felicitie to haue sinnes reproued to be instructed in the right way to haue errors corrected to be comforted in all distresse and danger outward or inward and finallie to bee made wise to saluation and all this is done by the ministrie of wisedome And what happier thing can wee haue in this life then to know the Lordes minde then to haue his priuie counsell reuealed to vs and to bee made wise to Saluation through Faith which is in Christ Iesus Nay Is it not eternall life to know GOD and his Sonne IESVS CHRIST and all this we receiue if we be gratious hearers froÌ„ the messengers of wisedome And will not all confesse that this is the greatest good and the happiest thing in the world to haue the wrath of God pacified to bee in his fauour so that hee is become our Friend and Father and we are taken and accounted as friends to him And there is a true reconciliation betwixt vs so that we need neuer doubt of the saluation of our soules Now this comfort and assurance we haue by the ministrie of wisdome being the very word of the Kingdome the word of grace the word of reconciliation and saluation the word of life yea of eternall life And finally Is it not true Felicity to haue that good part which shall neuer be taken from vs That one thing needfull yea so needfull indeed that wee had better want all other things in this life then be without it And is it not true happines to haue that happines restored and encreased which Adam had in Paradise and lost by his Fall to haue that Image of GOD wherein hee was first created to bee restored vnto vs and in some some sorte to be made like to GOD himselfe in true holines and Righteousnes And is not all this true happinesse and the way to that Eternall and perfect blessednes which wee shall enioy in the Heaâ—ens whereof wee haue spoken largely before And thus we conclude from the premises as from infallible reasons taken from the necessity excellencie power and fruite of Wisedome that this position and doctrine which heere is holden and collected by the wordes of this Woman is most true and sound Namely that the way to make a people happie is to heare receiue and imbrace this
appoynted Ouer-â—eers in the Church and it is Iesus Christ that giueth gifts to men to become Pastors and teachers in the Church Those glorious titles before spoken of they belong also to the Ministers of God They are pastors fathers nurces and in Gods stead Magistrates are to be honoured such as rule well in word and doctrine are worthie of double honour The same is the end of both their callings to suppresse and beate downe sinne But our power is spirituall therefore the greater euen the power of God to saluation power to conuert soules to beate downe Sathan and sinne and to bring into bondage euery thought that doth rayse it selfe against God By the Magistrates care policie and power wee liue in peace and are defended from forren domesticall foes By the ministerie of the word the sword of the spirit wee are armed against our spirituall enemies and enioy true peace of conscience And therefore the ministerie of the word is truely called the streugth and life of a land When Elishai saw Eliah taken vp into heauen he cryed My father my father the Chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof It is sinne that weakens a land it is religion and pietie that maketh it strong By the preaching of the word sinne is weakned and all vertue and goodnes is increased confirmed The want of this word is the famishing of mens soules the plentie of this word is the life of their soules Magistrates are keepers and maintayners of both the tables of the commandements and so are all faithfull Ministers Magistrates are to execute outward punishments vpon offenders Ministers haue power to reproue to binde and exclude notorious offenders Our bodies goods liues are subiect to Princes but al power worshippe and maiestie are subiect so the word which wee preach And as they are rebels to Princes which resist their power so are they rebels to God which set themselues against the doctrine counsels and exhortations of his faithfull Ministers And finally as good Magistrates doe comfort and encourage good subiects by rewards honours and countenance so good Ministers are carefull by all means possible to comfort good Christians by the sweete promises and mercies of God and by the assurance of remission of sinnes and life eternall Seeing therefore there is such agreement both in the titles and callings of Magistrates and Ministers there should be also an agreement and vnion in affection betwixt them They are intirely to affect and loue one another The Ministers are to guide and direct the Rulers by the word and they againe are to defend them by the sword This the Lord teacheth when hee appoynted two brethren to gouerne his people Moses and Aaron the one to gouerne the other to teach It went well with Saul so long as he hearkened to Samuel the Prophet Dauid had Gad and Nathan neere vnto him as his faithfull Counsellers Hezekiah the King was directed by Esaiah the Prophet Therfore Magistrates are to countenance good Ministers and to encourage them Wee teach and perswade all men to obey the higher powers We pray for you publikelie and priuately and stirre vp others to doe the like Wee set foorth the excellencie of your callings We threaten damnation to rebels and traytors As for our calling although diuine and sacred yet odious and contemptible to the worlde because wee reproue the sinnes of all men we endure many hard speeches vnkindnesses and iniuries of wicked men the eyes of many their eares hearts and mouthes are open against vs. Wee are subiect to many temptations and infirmities Wee haue many discomforts and discouragements Who is to comfort and countenance and defend vs but the good Magistrates And you must not bee offended though we sometimes iustlie reproue your opon sinnes in open place It is our office to reproue sinne in all as it is your dutie to punish sinne in all As you must not be partiall and not haue respect of persons in iudgement so we must not be partiall in reproouing We doe it God knoweth in dutie loue and conscience and therefore you are to take it in good part All holy men though they were Kings and Princes haue beene content patiently to receiue iust reproofe And the sinnes of Magistrates and great persons doe most hurt of all other and therefore most of all to be reprooued If wee be carelesse and idle in our place If we be flatterers time seruers If we be corrupt false in our doctrine If we be wicked and dissolute in life Let vs bee censured according to our deserts But if our care be to do good to take what paynes we can in our places to winne foules to beate downe sinne and Poperie to liue honestly and keepe a good conscience in all things If neyther our doctrine nor life can bee iustly touched why should you be strange vnto vs why should you keepe backe from vs your fauour assistance and countenance It is the chiefe end of the office and calling of a good Magistrate to defend and countenance all good and honest men much more the faithfull and paynefull Ministers of God And seeing Magistrates and Ministers haue the same authour the same names and dignitie let them ioyne together for the beating downe of sinne and bee helpers and comforters one to another and let the highest of all remember specially those which make small account of our calling let them remember and lay vp in their hearts these worthie places of Scripture Remember that caueat which GOD giueth to his people Beware that thou forsake not the Leuite as long as thou liuest vpon the earth And againe Touch not mine annointed and doe my Prophets no harme This was spoken euen to Kings and Princes to their rebuke and shame And neuer forget that bitter prayer of Moses who yet was the mildest man that euer liued vpon the earth Blesse ô Lord saith he his substance and accept the worke of his hands he speaketh of the tribe of Leuie the faithfull ministers of God Smite through the Ioynes of them that rise against him and of them that hate him that they neuer rise vp againe And remember that saying of our Sauiour Christ speaking to his Apostles saying He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me And those sayings of the Apostle Now we beseech you brethren that you knowe them which labour among you and are ouer you in the Lord and admonish you that you haue them in singular loue for their worke sake Loue them for their calling for the gifts of God in them for their great paines for the gaine and profit which you doe or may reape by them And neuer forget that saying of the same Apostle alreadie alleaged That those which labour in word and doctrine are worthy of double honor And finally remember the sweete and gratious exhortation of the worthy king good king Iehosephat deliuered to his owne subiects by his owne mouth saying Heare you me
lesson by it that it is not sufficient for vs to performe the generall duties of Christianitie but also the particular duties of our seuerall callings And we may see the corruptioÌ„ of our natures that euery one is willing and readie to heare the duties of other men forgetting and litle regarding what doth belong and appertaine to themselues The seruant is content to heare the dutie of his maister and the maister is content to heare the dutie of his seruants children are content to heare the dutie of their parents and parents are content to heare the duties of children HusbaÌ„ds are willing to heare the duties of wiues and wiues are content to heare the duties of husbands Ministers are coÌ„tent to heare the duties of the people and people are content to heare the duties of ministers Subiects are content to heare the duties of their Princes and Princes are willing to heare the duties of their subiects But fewe or none are so readie or willing to-heare and learne their owne duties For redresse of this corruption let euery one say with the kingly Prophet Dauid I will heare what the Lord will say concerning me And of al other the scriptures doe often and plentifully speake of the duties of Princes and Magistrates in Exodus in Deutrinomie in the Prouerbs of Salomon in the Lawe in the Prophets in the Gospell and many preachers many times in many places vpon iust occasion doe handle this doctrine of the Magistrates and this is not superfluous because it is a matter of great importance for if they doe their duties the Church and common-wealth flourisheth otherwise there is decay and ruine Againe their office is hard and difficult much holines much wisedome and faithfulnes required of them their charge and burden is great they haue many hindrances and enemies they are subiect to many dangers therefore they had neede of much daily instruction so much teaching so many sermons shal be so many witnesses against them if they do not regard follow theÌ„ but to come to the description of good rulers their first care must be that if they wil wel profitably rule others they must first gouerne and rule themselues The very heathen haue accounted those the best Emperours and rulers which could rule their owne affections they haue thought said that we neede not so much feare our armed enemies as our owne desires and lustes that it is a farre greater worke to ouercome our selues then to ouercome our enemies And thus saith one very excelleÌ„tly If thou wilt haue all things subiect to thee subiect thy selfe to reason thou shalt rule many if reason rule thee from thence thou shalt learne what and how thou art to take any thing in hand Kings and rulers haue their name from doing well therfore by doing well thou doest hold the name of a ruler but by sinning thou dost lose it therfore they are rightly called kings rulers who can rightly rule themselues and others The highest place is well ruled when he that gouerneth hath dominion rather ouer vices then ouer his brethreÌ„ Again it is a good house and well ordered where the man ruleth the wiâ—e obeyeth he is a good man where the spirit ruleth the flesh serueth Most excellent is the speech of his Maiestie to his gratious sonne of famous memorie saying That hee is not worthie to rule others that cannot rule himselfe Inordinate affections more dangerous and powerfull then the enemies of the body those are vanquished by spirituall power this is the best victorie and such bee truely noble Base mâ—n may subdue Kingdomes and themselues bond-men of sinne and Sathan He is not worthie to gouerne a Christian people that is not a Christian himselfe let such looke for no good successe Againe Princes are tyed to God in a double bond First in that they are men Secondly in that they are Rulers of men In pietie and thankfulnes they are to goe before others The highnes of their place aggrauateth their fault Their glorie is to shine before others He is better saith Salomon that ruleth his owne minde then he that winneth a Citie Such as winne Cities spoyleth and destroyeth He that ruleth himselfe doeth hurt and spoyle no man he is at warre with none but with his owne wicked nature It is abhomination to Kings to commit wickednesse for their throne is stablished by iustice The greater that men are the more grieuous horrible and loathsome are their sinnes As they were increased sayeth the Prophet they rebelled against mee therefore I will change their glorie into shame Againe they are poore they are foolish for they know not the way of the Lord nor the iudgement of their God I will get me to the great men and will speake to them for they haue knowne the way of the Lord and the iudgement of their God but those haue altogether broken the yoke and burst the bonds wherefore a Lion out of the forrest shall slay them These are most vnkinde to God who doe thus requite his kindnesse for their great preferments and dignities Magistrates of all others must bee vnrebukeable the eyes of all are vpon them A spot or a mote in the sun is soonest spyed their good example doth much good if they fall others follow they leade others to hell It is a staine to their place to their dignitie titles to be stained or tainted with any grosse sinne They are called gods and therefore they must bee like God in hating sin they must be like God in holinesse righteousnes Rulers must out go the people not in pleasure lust but in temperance in vertue magnanimitie It is the saying of the heathen He is not worthie to gouerne that is no better neither hath moe vertues then they which he gouernes they are to be first doers of that which they command they must leade the way to vertue and practise that which they command It is written of Lycurgus that he set downe no law whereof hee himselfe had not shewed an example and practise in his owne person Ageselaus would be the first doer of that he commanded others to do Sinnes of great men are examples priuiledges to others whatsoeuer they do they seeme to command As a great branch cut from a tree bringeth downe many small ones with it And as when a great Prince coÌ„meth forth of his palace a multitude follow him so doe subiects ordinarily follow the examples of their gouernours good or bad yea the affection in subiects to please Princes and to immitate their actions is of more force then lawes punishments And therefore true is that saying of a heathen man That Magistrates in matters of wickednesse and vice doe not onely conceiue it but spread it and as it were water their subiects with it And againe wilt thou haue thy subiects good bee thou good The Prince by well doing teacheth the subiects to do well Examples of Princes neuer