Here is no boasting of faith without workes here is no reioycing in works without faith here is no vertue without knowledge no knowledge without temperance no patience without godlines no godlines without brotherly kindnes no kindnes among brethren without godly loue or charitie Begin with faith end in loue for faith worketh by loue so shalt thou be sure to haue the end of thy faith euen the saluauation of thy soul which is the thing that I hartely wish vnto thee me Thus do thou shalt liue thus liue thou shalt neuer Gal 5.6.1 Pet. 1.9 Heb. 12.2 die Vale in authore salutis Farewell in Christ the author finisher of thy faith Thine in the Lorde Radford Mauericke A view of Saint Peters Chaine See gentle Readers see a Chaine of peerelesse price is offered heere t' adorne your mindes withall Accept it I you praye and vse it with aduice it may you comfort bring when world threat'ns thral Iewels Gems and corrall pearles and precious stones came from the earth to earth they must againe No pleasure in this life is free from greefe grones the greatest ioyes are often mixt with paine This Chaine therfore you may accoūt as treasure sure for it hath had the triall of the fire Put case these papers heere will not long time indure yet is the ground worke sure if you desire Eternall blisse with holy saintes and Angels bright where teares and greefes are banisht farre awaye This Chaine wil keep your feet to tread the path aright vnto that blessed life that dures for aye Enclinea while your eares to heare Saint Peters voice haue faith in Christ first planted in your brest Remember next of vertues all to take the choice good knowledge will you bring to vertues rest Sobriety forthwith in heart you must imbrace dame patience must stand fast by your side Consider then to runne religions godly race that godlines with you may still abide Haue louing kindnes too vnto your brethern deare let godly loue your christian hearts enflame Ames deeds are surely good they do the needy cheare If you do this it will encrease your fame Now haue I don forsoth both tong pen are at a stay my muse is dul my vaine is dry your pardō do I pray The contents of the booke Of Faith Chap. 1. Of Vertue Chap. 2 Of Knowledge Chap. 3 Of Temperance Chap. 4 Of Patience Chap. 5. Of Godlines Chap. 6. Of Brotherly kindnes Chap. 7 Of Loue. Chap. 8 SAINT PETERS CHAINE Of Faith Chap. 1. FOr as much as there is ingrafted in the minds of al mē a natural disposition and inelimation greedily to desire such things as seeme either most faire and beautifull or else most sweete and acceptable vnto our outward sences as Eua desired the forbidden fruite because it was faire to the Gen. 3.6 3.6 eye and Adam affected the saine by too much harkening vnto the perswasions of his wife And the carnall Israelites preferred their grosse feeding in Egypt before Numb 11.4.5 heauenly Manna for that it did better relish their fleshly tast and the wicked Sodomites would grope with their hands after they were striken with blindnesse to find out Lots doore and Rahel would forgo Gen. 19.11 for a time the company of her husband for the great desire shee had vnto Leahs Mandraks which as wee may gather out of the Canticles haue a verie fragrant and 30.15 Canti 7.13 and odoriferous sauour For as much therfore I say as it is our wanton eyes our itching eares our daintie tast our fine smeling or our grosse handling that must aduise vs with their deceitfull counsell to make choyse of things that seeme most pleasant to the contentation of our seuerall senses and disordered desires what maruaill is it Mans senses deceiueable that this rich Gem and precious Iewel of faith lyeth hidden among vs regarded of so few yea despised troden vnder feete of many Is it because there is no excellent or vertuous operation in it Not so but because the vertue thereof is so diuine and precious that it cannot be comprehended by our earthly senses Our eyes are dimme they cannot see it our eares are dull they cannot heare it our tast is glutted and cannot relish it our fingers are benummed they cannot feele it our noses are stopped they can not smell it Obiection But some happily will say that faith is a spirituall thing that cannot be seene therefore the senses of our earthly bodies cannot perceiue it but the soule which is the chiefest parte of man being also spirituall hath not she power to looke into such secresies I graunt that faith is a spirituall thing which cannot be seene with our bodily eyes for it is the ground of things hoped for and the euidence of things which are not seene I graunt also that the soule of man is a spirituall Heb. 11.1 and inuisible substaunce but yet it doth not follow that she is able of her selfe to vnderstand the secresies of faith for one inuisible thing doth not alwaies know the secresies of another as for example the deuill The deuil knows not our thoghts Heb. 4.12.13 who is inuisible doth not know the secrete thoughts of man which are also inuisible but only God knowes them nothing more doth the soule vnderstand the vertue and secrete operation of faith except it bee first reuealed by the spirite of God This is proued most plainely by that saying of Saint Paul The naturall man cannot 1. Cor. 2.14 perceiue the things that are of God Nowe when the Apostle speaketh of the naturall man we must needs confesse that vnder the word man he comprehendeth both partes of man soule and body for the body without soule is not a man but a lumpe of flesh or a carkesse so thē it is plaine by the words of Saint Paul that the soule of a man vnregenerate No man vnregenerate doth know the secresies of faith doeth no more know the secresies of faith and the things that are of God then the body doth Moreouer if wee consider the principall parts and powers of the soule since the fall of Adam shall we perceiue any thing therin but meere darknes and ignorance What is our reason vnderstanding euen of them that haue the finest wits is it not meere foolishnes Is not our knowledge blinded Is not our freewil vtterly lost decayed Can we make choyce of any thing that is good Surely no for if the verie regenerate do but knowe in part as the Apostle saith then doubtlesse the naturall man knoweth nothing 1. Cor. 13.12 in respect of true knowledge for which cause the same Apostle speaking vnto such natural men how wittie soeuer they be in their owne conceite sayth plainely if they thinke they know any thing meaning 1. Cor. 8.2 in the misteries of God they know nothing sayth he as they ought to know Wherefore we may affirme for certaintie without any
her but pride thrusteth her downe ouer the staires or greeces shee can haue almost no place to rest in but either in the streets or in some poore labouring mens houses yea the verie beggers do scorne her companie shee runs from the countrie to Shee is suffered to run the country for want of entertaynement the court from the court to the country can hardly get any seruice if she be intertained for a while she is put away againe without a quarters warning nay sometimes on a suddaine without an houres warning so rigoriouslie is she dealt withall in many places surelie it is maruell that shee tarrieth one yeere in this countrie sauing that I suppose Temperance well vsed in no country other countries giue her so ill or worse intertainment then we Wel Saint Peter yet counselleth vs to entertaine her and to keep her when he saith ioine with your knowledge temperance Vse temperancy in your diet temperancy in eating temperaÌ„cy in your drinking temperancie in your sleeping temperancy in your Wee must vse temperance in all things gesture walking temperancy in your apparell temperancie in your delights and recreation temperancie in your wordes temperancie in your deeds temperancy in all your appetites and desires In one worde without this vertue of temperance al things wil be out of order and good temper if this Without temperance euery thing will bee out of temper good order lincke of temperance be broken Saint Peters Chaine will neuer holde Much more might bee saide but I study breuitie God grant this litle which hath bin spoken maye be aduisedly read well ruminated and better digested so shall all other vertues bee the rather accounted of to Gods glory and our saluation A praier for Temperance O Most holy and eternal God which art all holines and paritie it selfe and hatest all iniquitie vncleannes vouchsafe vnto me I earnestlie beseech thee this grace that as thou hast made mee a reasonable creature and indued me with wit and vnderstanding so I may haue a speciall regard to keepe a godlie moderation in all the actions of this life that I may neuer breake the bonds of temperance by ouermuch eating drinking sleeping playing or by any filthie and vngodlie liuing whereby I shoulde shewe my selfe in life and conuersation worse then brute beasts that haue no vnderstanding but that I may rather denie all vngodlines and worldly lusts and study to liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world looking for the blessed appearing of our Sauiour Iesus Christ who hath commaunded vs in his holy word to take heed least when he come vnto iudgement our hearts be not ouercome with surfetting and drunkennes cares of this life so to suffer this day to come vpon vs vnawares For which cause good Lord I beseech thee grant vnto me that vertue of sobriety and temperancy that I may both spend and end my dayes in such necessary dutyes as thou hast commaunded mee to the glory of thy name comfort of my conscience thorough Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Of Patience The fift Chapter IT seemeth to some desiring to see farre countries a matter of no lesse ease then pleasure to saile ouer the seas from one land to another so long as the ship is caried with a good wind and in fayre weather for then the mariners sing Sayle wee merie mariners then the marchantes play and sporte then the souldiers passengers be sleeping and snorting vnder the hatches but when the wind begins to turne when the weather begins to be foule when blustering blastes arise when the surges and waues of the sea tumble ouer the shippe when wee are wet head and eares then our hartes beginne to saile vs then our courage asswageth then What wee purpose in prosperitâ— aduersity we forget 〈…〉 vs then 〈◊〉 itselfe threatneth vs then euerie man 〈◊〉 himselfe backe againe in the place from whence he came and the desire which before we had to see strange countries is nowe cooled asswaged and abated Right so it â—alleth out in the desire which we haue to see the new Ierusalem that heauenly cuntry we begin to back our selues in Reue 21.10 the ship of vertue wee hope to saile thither vpon the seas of pleasure wee haue happily at the beginning a good gale of wind fair weather but before wee are come three leagues at sea before wee haue forgotten our frends and fellowes that we left behind vs there ariseth a mighty wind cruel tempest the wind of aduersity begin to blow the waues and surges of trials and temptations come vpon vs yea death and persecution assaileth vs then wee wish our selues at home in our owne countrie againe then our desires to that heauenly cuntry begins to wax cold few there be that keep on a straight course till they come to the hauen of rest How excellent therefore is that saying of the spirit of God in the tenth to the Hebr. Heb. 10.36 Ye haue neede of patience that after yee haue done the will of God ye might receiue the promises So we that are sayling ouer the Without patience we can neuer come to the hauen of rest feas of this world haue need of patience to endure the surging waues of trial temptations lest with the children of Israel wee desire to returne backe againe when we are in the middest of our iourney Wherefore S. Pet. hauing tried by experieÌ„ce these things 1. Pet. 16. assone as he hath exhorted vs vnto Temperance presently biddeth vs to ioyne thereunto patience knowing very well that no sooner can we begin to treade the path vnto a godly vertuous and temperate life but presently we shal be subiect to infinite trials and tribulations according to this scripture that saith As many as will liue godly in â— Tim. 1. 12 Christ Iesus shal suffer persecution and affliction therefore in good time addeth exhortation vnto patience saying Ioyne with your temperance patience vse that as a remedy what troubles soeuer come vpon you for liuing godly and vertuously Patience then is a vertue whereby wee What true patience is the vse theÌ„reof obey God in suffering aduersitie so that we do nothing contrary to the commandement of God but by faith acknowledge him to be neere vnto vs with his helpe eyther to mitigate or els to deliuer vs from that present aduersitie wee are in yea patience and good beleefe in God maketh man victorious The meanes to retayne patience is to haue a cleare conscience and a good cause for the which wee suffer for true patience as one saith is when the cause is iust and the end profitable and necessary How beit wee must also suffer with patience aswell the corrections for our faultes as also troubles wrongfully inflicted vppon vs of men This patience surely is a notable vertue Patience is best tried when we are wrongfully afflicted by men pertayning as well to
and peace to the Iewe first and also to the Gentile for 11 there is no respecte of persons with God Wherefore let vs hearken vnto Saynt Peter who biddeth vs to ioyne godlines with patience and the other vertues yea God no accepter of persons Leuit. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 11 let vs hearken vnto God himselfe who biddeth vs bee holy as hee is holie let vs eschewe euill and doe good let vs seeke peace and follow after it Let vs not bee dismaied with the multitudes of the vngodly for there are some Reuelat. 22 11. which are vniust and wil bee vniust still some filthy and will be filthy stil but let him that is righteous bee righteous still and let him that is holye bee holy still for beholde I come shortly saith Christ and my rewarde is with mee to giue to euerye 12 man as his worke shall be Blessed are they that doe his commaundements 14. mentes that their right may bee in the tree of life and that they may enter in through 15. the gates into the Cittie for without shall bee dogges and inchaunters and whoremongers and murtherers and Idolaters and whosoeuer loueth or maketh lyes A Prayer for godlines O Good and gracious God most louing merciful Father seeing thou hast not onely created mee after thine owne image but also redeemed mee being lost that I might bee thy child by adoption grace I most humbly beseech thee so to assist me with thy holy sanctifying spirite that I may lead my life in a holy christian godly conuersation as behoueth me professing thy name that I may be holy as thou O Father art holy that I may bee partaker of thy Godly nature in fleeing the corruption which is in the worlde through lust that I may dayly offer vp vnto thee my soule body as a holy and acceptable seruice that I may cast of the old man the whole body of sinne bee renewed in the spirit of my mind put on the new man which after thy likenes is created in righteousnes and true holmes that seeing Christ Iesus is made vnto me wisedome righteousnes sanctification and redemption I may by vertue of his resurrection die dayly vnto sinne and liue vnto thee in godlines newnes of life during mine abode here in this world that in the world to come I may haue life euerlasting through the same Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour Amen Of Brotherly kindnesse Chap. 7. THe Apostle Saint Peter hauing furnished sixe linkes of his Chaine the vertue vse whereof doe especially profite and appertaine to ech particular person that is indued with them as euery particular man and woman must be saued by his owne faith euery one must haue vertue to addorne and beautifie his faith euery one must haue true knowledge to leade him the way vnto vertue euery one must labour by temperaunce and sobrietie to keepe his owne bodie in subiection to his spirite according as his knowledge out of Gods worde doth teach him euery one hath need of patience to endure the sundry trials and temptations of this life and of godlinesse which is the maintayner and supporter of christian patience Thus I say euery one of these vertues do in a special peculiar mānerprofite themselues that are endued with them But because man is not borne alone for himselfe as heathen men also haue taught and therefore must not onely haue vertues to benefite himselfe but also such as wherewith hee may doo good to others Therefore Saint Peter biddeth vs to ioyne with the other forenamed vertues first brotherly kindnes which is a most feruent 2. Pet 1. 7. What brotherly kindnes is loue and kinde affection that all the children of God do beare one vnto the other and therefore rightlye called of the Apostle brotherly kindnes as wee are brethren in Christe by grace of redemption then bids vs last of al to ioyne with our brotherly kindnes loue or charity which extendeth it selfe farther then brotherly kindnes doth not onely to the saints and children of God but vnto all men in generall euen vnto our verie mortall and deadly enemies For this cause then is it that Saint Peter doth not bring loue and brotherly kindnes together within the compasse of one linke but speaketh of them seuerally distinctly yet lincketh them one in the other because there can bee no brotherlie kindnes where there is no loue nor any true loue where there is not brotherlie kindnesse Whereupon it must needs follow that none but the children of God can haue either loue or brotherly kindnes Obiection First then to intreat of brotherly kindnes which is not so generall as loue is seeing that none but the faithfull are endued with it a question maye heere bee mooued what kind of loue affection that is which is shewed by one man to another euen of them that are not christians but heathen people and infidels yea and also many of them which beare the names of christians shewe great kindnes one to the other not because they are christians of the household of faith for that is the least thing they account of but for some other cause and in some other respecte Answere I answere that this kind of loue and affection may also in a sort bee called brotherly kindnes to wit as we are brothers by creation But to make a distinction between the one the other seeing the holy ghost doth call that kindnes of affection which christians beare one to the other brotherly kindnes let vs call this other kindnesse and affection naturall kindnesse for so indeede it is a naturall vertue giuen vnto mankinde in his first creation but sithens greatlye corrupted and defaced by sinne as all other giftes of nature are Now for as much as naturall kindenes was before brotherly kindnes and because brotherly kindnes wherevnto Saint Peter exhorteth vs doth not take a way naturall kindnes but rather seeketh to repaire nature thorough grace therefore I thinke it not amisse in this chapter to speake first of naturall kindnes and how wee do degenerate heerein contrary to our kinde and nature and then to come to this christian brotherlie kindnes that Saint Peter speaketh of which doth excell and exceede the other by many degrees shewing withall the want of this brotherlie kindnes which doth too much bewray it selfe euen among those countryes and nations which are professed christians First then concerning naturall kindenes wee maye consider the greate and wonderful wisedome of almightie GOD as in all thinges so especiallye in this one thing forming in numerable sortes of creatures wherwith the whole world is replenished Gen 1 24 Nature hath taught all beasts to loue theyr kind infused into eache creature this secrete force of nature that euerie one shoulde loue and liue together with such as were best like the one vnto the other The birdes of the aire by themselues the beastes of the fielde by themselues
SAINT PETERS CHAINE Consisting of eight golden Linckes most fit to adorne the neckes of the greatest States Nobles and Ladies in this land as the chiefest Iewell of true Nobilitie and not vnfit for the meaner sort Digested into eight Chapters and published by R. M. Minister With a Praier annexed to the end of euerie Chapter 2. PETER 1 5 6 7. Ioyne vertue with your faith c. FIDES VINCIT MVNDVM CHARITAS PRO LEGE REGE ET GREGE 1. Faith 2. Vertue 3. Knowle 4. Temper 5. Patience 6. Godlines 7. Broth. kin 8. Loue. LONDON Printed by Iohn Windet dwelling at Paules Wharfe at the signe of the Crosse Keyes and are there to be solde 1596. To the Christian godly disposed Reader grace and peace be multiplied ALthough I am not ignorant curteous Reader how dangerous a thing it is accounted to write publish books nowe in these plentifull dayes of learning and knowledge also how many great schollers and learned men of our land are retained from doing that publike good as I take it to Church and commonweale according to theyr seuerall abilities because many men complaine that bookes want readers more than readers want bookes and because they feare the censure oftentimes of thē that are enemies both to God al godlines for who I praie you are the common carpers of our time Are they not for the most part either Papists or Atheists yet am I of another and I hope better opinion that these forenamed reasons or anie other of that kinde that may bee named ought not to affray or discourage anie from occupying of their talents in the feare of God as well in writing as in preaching so that thereby the one be not hindered by the other What though there be many bookes yet al bookes are not godly bookes True it is that many haue iustly complained of the multitude of vain wanton bookes but neuer did I reade or heare anie godly man complaine that there are too manye bookes tending to vertue and godlines nay let mee saie more what though there be a multitude of good learned books yet we know the most part of people are not learned and as necessarie it is if it bee not more necessarie that the ignoranter sort haue moebookes composed according to their capacities as it is for the learned to haue many learned books imprinted to the increase of their knowledge What though there be a great many that will carpe and finde faulte with our well dooing Is it not sufficient that we haue God and a good conscience witnessing with vs and comforting vs in our labors Lastly if euerie circumstance be duly weighed some conuenient time spent in writing need not be a hindrance as some pretend but rather a furtheraunce vnto preaching for can any write without studying and wil not that studying help thē in preaching Hath onely S. Austen said Proficiendo scribo scribendo proficio In profiting I write and by writing I profit Haue not as famous men as Europ hath bred these many yeres said the like that haue written much yet preached almost euery day Writing we see vnto thē was no let or hinderance vnto preaching whose example therin might make many lerned men of our daies to cōsiderwhat their callings do require Thus if we will duly examine this matter we shal see how these vsuall obiections to hinder men from dooing the most good they can in their callings are but as thicke mistes which the Sunne beames of trueth will easily scatter and disperse or like vnto bugs to afright little children withall that are afraid with the shaddowe of anie thing And now christian Reader for mine owne parte as I haue no cause to vse many wordes of perswasion vnto thee for the acceptance of these my poore labours seeing I haue not long since found more fauour that waie than I my selfe did expect or durst to desire so I will not vse many speeches more in this preface to hinder thee from reading the booke it selfe wherin if thou take the least comfort or profite I will account my selfe well recompensed for my paines The whole booke it selfe is but little and yet I haue digested it into seuerall Chapters that thou maiest reade the same with the more delight The title of this booke is somewhat glorious the Argument surely godly onely the handling of it is plaine and simple The substance whereof this Chaine was made is a mettall finer than the golde of Ophir the workeman that by the spirite of God first riuited the links of this Chaine together was such a one to vse the wordes of Saint Paule as did studie to shewe himselfe approued of God a workeman that needeth not to be ashamed It was Saint Peters 2 Tim 2.15 work therefore called S. Peters Chaine The title you may see is not forced the matter I haue indeuoured to handle according to this our Apostles owne method amplifying and inlarging the same agreeable with the tenor of the scripture The onely marke that I leuell at is this first that as sathan by his subtiltie laboureth to linke many sinnes together in one soule and to draw many soules with him in his chaine vnto hell so the godly may be as carefull to linke many vertues together in one and so euen to tie themselues to vertue and godlynesse as with a most strong Chaine which all the deuils in hel may not be able to break Againe seeing we liue in these last loose daies wherein Mat. 24.12 sinne doth abound and iniquitie hath gotten the vpperhande seeing the whole world as Saint Iohn saith is set on wickednes people drawe sinnes vnto them 1 Ioh. 9.19 as it were with cart-ropes insomuch that it seemeth the whole foundation of vertue and godlines is shaken that so in like manner the godly may haue so many props as are possible to staie them frō falling being knit and lincked together with this holy Chaine they may by little and little hale and tow forwarde one helping and supporting another towardes the hauen of rest where the tempestuous seas of sin and iniquitie leaue raging Salomon I remember Eccle. 4.12 speaketh of a threefolde corde that is not easily broken but heere is no cord but a strong cable not of three but of eight twists to draw thee forward vnto heauen This cable must not bee diuided into partes for then one twist will breake after another thou must holde by all or none Therfore is it rightly called a Chain because one lincke must hold fast the other Faith must hold Vertue Vertue must keep Knowledge Knowledge must preserue Temperance Temperance must staie Patience Patience must retain Godlines Godlines must vpholde Brotherly kindnes Brotherly kindnesse must draw on loue or Charitie with it Loue must haue recourse backe againe vnto Faith so the Chain is perfected So that in deed he that hath one of these lincks hath all he that hath not all hath none
vs for faith is as before is noted the A Similitude hande wherewith wee apprehende and laie sure holde vppon the righteousnesse of Christ Iesus And euen as a lyttle childe maye as truelye holde a golde ring or precious iewell wyth his litle and weake hand as a giant with all the force of his hande and fist beeing one and the selfe same ring so the merits of the sonne of God bee one and the same whether our faith bee weake or strong to apprehend them This then beeing as wee haue sayde the least measure of faith when wee haue an earnest desire to bee saued and yet haue not the full assurance of our saluation it is then our dutie daily to praie the Lord to increase our faith till we come by little and little vnto the greatest measure which wee shall not haue at the first but in some continuance of time when wee haue bene well practised in repentance for as soone as wee haue the least measure of faith repentance will also appeare in some measure When therfore I saie we haue some time bin well practised in repentance and haue had diuerse experiences of Gods loue towards vs in Christ then afterwardes will appeare in our hearts the fulnesse of perswasion which is the ripenesse and strength of faith For this is the greatest measure of faith when anie one daylye increasing in faith comes to be fully perswaded of Gods loue in Christ The greatest measure of faith towards himselfe particularly of the forgiuenes of his owne sins This I suppose is the greatest measure of faith how be it I am still perswaded that there is no mans faith so strong but it is No mans faith so strong but it is sometimes shakeÌ„ sometimes shaken with the winde of doubfulnes Thus are wee come now at length thorough Gods assistance to the concluding shutting vp of this discourse of faith being the foundation of our whole worke wherein wee haue seene what true faith is what excellent vertues and operation it hath what great profit and commoditie we The summ of the first chapter receiue by it that many of our forefathers haue bene renowned for their faith lastlie whose gift it is to whom it is giuen and in what measure Now to him that is of power to establishe vs according to the gospell of Rom. 16 Iesus Christ by the reuelation of the mistery 25. which was kept secrete since the world began 26. but nowe is opened and published among all nations by the scripture of the 27. prophets at the commaundement of theeuerlasting God for the obedience of faith To God I say onely wise be all praise and honour and glorie thorough Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Praier for faith and the increase thereof O Almightie God and omnipotent creator Lord of heauen and earth the giuer of all good things from whence euerie good perfect gift doth proceed and by whose mercifull goodnes it is augmented and increased within vs I beseech thee of thine infinite clemencie to plant deeply in my soule that most sweet root of faith and to water it continually with the dew of thy heauenly grace that it may spring and bud forth into the greene and liuelie branches of a godly life with peace of conscience and ioye in the holie Ghost and that the seed thereof so soone as it is ripe may fall downe againe into the garden of my heart to the further increase of the same til it growe vp into that great tree of euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour To whome with thee O father and the holy Ghost be all honor and glorie for euer Amen OF VERTVE IN GENERALL CHAP. 2. THE order and course of nature being duly obserued doth make this plaine vnto vs that though there bee manye and innumerable thinges in this worlde yet that euery thing hath a certaine head root fountaine beginning from whence each particular is deriued For when God which is the cause of nature woulde shew forth in the theatre of this world the surpassing excellencie of his wisedome not onely in creating all things of nothing but also in gouerning and preseruing all things that were created that they might continue and indure out the time which he had appointed The Scripture saieth that God did make euerie thing according to his kinde withall did put certaine seedes of thinges in the Gen. 1 12 The course of natural things continued by Gods prouidence tiâ— the ende oâ— the world things themselues wherby there might be a propagation or continued course of things from generation to generation so long as the world should indure Right so Gods mightie power and infinite wisedome doth no lesse plainelie appeare in things supernatural I meane in the gifts of the mind wherwith he doth beutify adorne the soule of man for it is God that giueth both the beginning increase of al Faith the roote of vertue vertue and goodnes Now the beginning of vertue in vs is faith which God doth first plant in the hart of man faith then may be coÌ„pared vnto the roote froÌ„ whence doth arise the stemme of vertue Vertue in generall breaketh out into particular branches as knowledge temperance patience and the rest and euery branch bringeth foorth fruit according to his kind Therfore Saint Peter writing vnto such as were conuerted vnto 2. Pet. 1. 5 the faith willeth them to ioyne therevnto vertue saying Ioine vertue with your faith whereby doubtlesse he meaneth that they should endeauour to lead a ciuill honest life as euery one had receiued the measure of faith and to the end they shoulde not thinke it a matter indifferent he biddeth them to giue al diligence therunto euen to ioyne vertue with their faith because by throgh their faith in Christ God had giuen them all things that pertaine vnto life and godlines through the knowledge of him By flying â—he corrupâ—…oÌ„s of this â—orld wee â—aw neervnto God that had called them vnto glory vertue wherby most precious promises were giueÌ„ vnto them that by them they should bee partakers of the godly nature in flying the corruption which is in the world through lust So that now wee see what must bee the chiefe and principall care of all those that haue receiued this excellent gift of faith wherof we haue spoken in the former chapter Namely to giue all diligence to ioyne vnto our faith vertue that so our faith may appeare by our honest liuing godly conuersation Wherefore in this chapter wee must speake of vertue in generall being the second lincke in Saint Peters Chaine afterward come to her particular branches Vertue in generall is obedience to Gods commaundements wrought in Gods children what vertue is from whome we haue it by the spirit of sanctification directed or referred to the glorie of God and accepted of him in Christ Iesus And to speake plainly whatsoeuer thing
other mens worke that shall goe about to counterfaite the same with any base golde or copper that hath not beene tried by the perfecte touchstone of the word of God nor weighedin the ballance of the sanctuary And this is done surely to great purpose for as no golde-smith be he neuer so skilful can make any worke of his finest golde but some shifting mates or other will counterfaite the same in Copper and double-gilde it ouer with golde in such sort that except it betryed two or three times by the touch it shall not appeare that it is counterfaite Euen so Sainte Peter knowing that there Many counterfaiters of vertue in the world would arise many such deceauers in the last age of the world that would counterfait his Chaine making shew to the world that they haue faith vertue knowledge temperance patience godlines and brotherly kindnes when in truth being tryed by the touch it is nothing so hee therefore me thinketh addeth of set purpose vnto his Chaine this golden True loue can hardly be counterfaited A similitud linke of loue which cannot well bee coloured or counterfaited For as the Camelion can chaunge himselfe into any colour except it be white so the wicked impes of Sathan can counterfaite euery vertue except it be loue and charitie the which thing when they would also goe about to doe the heate of their malicious stomaks euer more be wraie them by this lincke then of loue charitie it shall appeare who are truely vertuous and who are counterfaite hypocrites and dissemblers Furthermore this loue whereunto Saint Peter here exhorteth vs is a true note wherby the children of God are knowne and a badge which euerye Christian ought to Loue the badge of Christians weare Therefore loue may bee called the badge of Christians Noble and gentlemen wee see that their retinue and attendants may be knowne when they receiue any man into their seruice giue them a badge or recognisance Euerie souldier in the fielde Similies knoweth of what band he is by the ensigne that is borne before him Christ Iesus therefore that most noble and victorious Captaine that hath vanquished sinne death and hell to the end hee might haue his souldiers and Christ will haue his souldiers knowne from Sathans seruants knowne from all other hath assigned vnto them a peculiar badge or recognisance such as cannot bee countersaited and it is indeede this loue which S. Peter speaketh of By this saith Christ shall all men Ioh. 13.35 know that yee are my Disciples if yee loue one an other This badge of loue must bee plated fast not in the sleeue but in the harts of Christians the Mettal whereof this badge Loue must be in the hearte of loue is made doth farre exceede al golde or siluer for golde will not appeare if it bee couered with any other thing but loue the closer it is hid in the heart the brighter wil it shine throughout all the parts of the body Like vnto a precious stone called the Topaze that glittereth or shineth best in the Loue like vnto a precious stone that shineth best in the darke darke And indeed how can it be otherwise Can it bee darke in that house where the Sunne shineth in through the Glasse windowes Nay can that place of the firmament bee darke where the Sunne abideth No verily much lesse can that soule and body of man be dark where God himselfe which is all light remaineth Now God is loue as saith Saint Iohn Beloued 1. Ioh. 4.7 let vs loue one an other for loue commeth of God euery one that loueth is borne of God and knoweth God contrariwise he that loueth not knoweth not God for God is loue Againe he saith No man hath seene 8. GOD at any time if wee loue one another God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfect Vers 12. in vs. Againe he saith God is loue and hee that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and 16. and God in him What diuine and heauenly thing then is Christian loue and charitie How doth this one lincke beautifie this golden Chaine Who would not bee in loue with such a Iewell where God himselfe is engrauen in the middest Many thinke they Loue a principall Iewell are safe when they haue a Crucifixe of gold siluer or copper hanging about their neckes though their harts be ful of hatred sinne and mallice But O beloued here is a rich and precious Iewell worthie the wearing the Crucifixe is but a fayned and false picture of the body of Christ whereby if thou take Crucifixe dangerous not heede thou mayest soone commit Idolatrie â—…fat least the very wearing of it be not Idolatrie but if thou haue this Iewel of loue in thine hart then thou needest not feare the force of thine enemies for thou hast God abiding with thee and if God be with thee who can preuaile against thee There bee Rom. 2 31. indeede poore Politicians nowe a daies which think it good policie but it is against Diuinitie though thou bee no Papist but percase a Newter or an Atheist to haue a Poysonfull pollititians Crucifixe alwaies hanging about thy neckes for say they if the Spaniards who are poysoned Papists should inuade this land they will vse thee well for thy Crucifixe sake But it is sounder Diuinitie better agreeing with Christianity in thy confidence that Hee that hath confidence in God wil defie Gods enemies thou hast in God to defie both Pope and popish Spaniards the open and professed enemies of God and of Christ his annointed and to harbour loue in thine heart whereby thou mayst assure thy selfe to be the souldiour of Christ who is able to defend thee will defend thee trusting in GOD if it be for his glorie and thy saluation from the force of all enemies whatsoeuer Surely this fearefulnes that is in the harts of people as it doth argue great wickednes and guiltinesse of their consciences so it is a A guiltie conscience cannot be bold Iohn 4. 17. manifest signe that the loue of God is not in them For as S. Iohn saith herein is loue perfect in vs that we should haue boldnes not onely in this life against our enemies but also in the day of iudgement Againe he saith There is no feare in loue but perfecte 18. loue casteth out feare and hee that feareth is not perfect in loue if therefore thou wilt not be afraide of thine enemies in this life nor of damnation in the life to come entertaine Loue casteth out fere true loue and Charitie in thine hearte and mind Loue God aboue al thy neighbour as thy selfe for therein consisteth the Mat. 22.37 whole law and the Prophets as our Sauiour Christ doth witnesse And Saint Paul saith Rom. 13.9 the Law is fulfilled in one word Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe Againe loue hurteth not his neighbour therefore is loue the fulfilling
saide vnto Christ come lay thy hand on her and she shall liue and according to his faith shee was raysed vnto life againe Another worthy example wee haue of the woman of Canaan in the fifteenth of 15 21 Mathew whose daughter was piteously vexed of a Deuill howe she came vnto Christ for helpe and woulde not bee aunswered till she had her petition graunted and her daughter healed Thus we haue seene examples of such as haue beene healed for their owne faith as also for the faithes sake of others Now let vs note the thirde thing namely that for want of faith our sauiour was greatly hindered from doing that good which hee woulde as it is plainely to bee seene Mark 6 1 2 in the sixth of Marke when comming into his owne country among his owne kinsemen and acquaintaunce and preaching vnto them on the Saboath as his manner was many that hearde him were astonyed Christ lea◅ accounted of in his owne cuntry and saide from whence hath he these things Is not this the carpenter Maries son and brother of Iames and Ioses and are not his sisters meaning by brothers and sisters his nere kinsefolke here with vs and they were offended in him Then said Iesus vnto them a prophet is not without honour but in his owne country among his owne kindred and in his owne house And he could doe no great workes there saith the texte saue that he laid his hand vpon a fewe sicke Vnbeleese hindereth vs of many good things folkes and healed them but he marueiled at their vnbeliefe so that we see vnbeleefe was the onely cause which hindered Christ from doing them that good which otherwise he would The like or worse thing we read of the hoggish Gergesites which by reason of their Mat. 8.34 want of faith esteemed more of their swine then of Christ therefore prayed him that he wold depart from them But what should I heape vp examples of such as were neuer effectually called seeing it is certaine that many of Gods children by reason of the littlenes of their faith or for want of faith in some particular things haue almost hindered themselues of many good things yea brought themselues into great danger The weakenes of Marthaes faith had almost letted Ioh. 11.39 40. that her brother Lazarus shoulde haue beene raised againe when hee had layne in in the graue foure daies for she saide vnto Christ he stinketh to whome Christ answered Said I not vnto thee that if thou didst beleeue thou shouldst see the glory of God as if hee shoulde say thy weakenes of faith doth hinder this miracle For want weakenesse of faith the disciples of Christ were almost drowned while Mat. 8.25 Christ slept in the ship for when they had awoke him saying wee perish hee rebuking them said why do ye feare O ye of little faith And Saint Peter himselfe when hee woulde come alone vnto Christ vpon the 14.31 sea was not farre from drowning and all for want of faith For want of faith godly Zacharias the father of Iohn Baptist was Luk. 1.2 dumbe for a time because hee did not beleeue the tidinges which the Angel brought him of the birth of his sonne Thus haue we briefly noted these three things First how many haue beene healed by their own faith next that not a few haue beene healed by the faith of others lastly that weakenes want of faith hath hindered Christ from doing good brought euen the deare childrē of God in daunger Whereupon wee may conclude that faith is a most rare and singular vertue worthy of all praise commendation Nowe if faith were alwaies required for the health of their bodies how much more Faith good for the health of soule and body for the health of their soules And was not this the cheefest purpose of Christ thinke wee to lead them by these outward meanes to consider of the weakenes and sicknesses of their soules yes surely and the doctrine thereof is most necessary for vs to consider of For wee are all full of the foule leprosie of sinne from top to toe but faith in Christ doth make vs cleane for it is written the blood of Iesus Christ clenseth vs from all 1. Ioh. 1.7 sinne We are all benummed with the dead palsie of sinne But faith in Christ doth quicken vs againe as Christ saith He that beleeueth in me though hee were dead yet shall he liue We are all blinde and cannot Ioh. 11. 25 see the way that leadeth vnto life but faith in Christ must be our guide We are all deaf and cannot heare as we should the word of God till faith haue opened our inwarde sences In one worde there is no disease of the soule or body which is not eyther holpen or eased by the benefite of faith Is thy heart and soule wounded within thee by reason of thy sinne Faith is a soueraigne and cordiall medicine it will surely heale thee Hast thou had a longe time scales vpon thine eyes that thou canst not see the brightnesse of Gods worde shine vpon thee Oh apply the salue of faith mixt with the powder of true repentance and thou shalt see howe soone they will fall from thee as they did from the eyes Act 9 18 of Saule Art thou oppressed with heauie sadnes why faith in Christ will bring thee ioy If thou bee sicke it will restore thee to health Art thou poore it will make thee riche Art thou deade it will rayse By faith all things are possible Mark 9.23 thee to life againe all thinges are possible vnto him that beleeueth Wilt thou yet heare more what benefite thou receauest by faith hearken then By faith wee are made the sonnes of God By faith wee shall obtayne euerlasting life Ioh. 1 22 3 6 11.25 3.36 6 47 By faith hee that is deade may liue Hee that beleeueth shall neuer die Hee that beleeueth hath euerlasting life Contrariwise whatsoeuer is not of faith Rom. 14 23 Heb 11 6 Ioh. 3 36 Mark 16 16 is sinne Without faith it is impossible to to please God Without faith wee shall bee condemned Hee that beleeueth not the wrath of God abideth on him He that beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued but hee that beleeueth not shal be damned This true liuely and iustifying Faith Mat 22 12 whereof wee speake is that riche wedding garment which euery christian ought to weare and whosoeuer is founde without it shall bee bounde hande and foote and cast into vtter darkenesse there shall bee weepinge and gnashing of teeth This faith is that strong shielde of defence Ephes 6.16 wherwith we must quench all the fiery darts of the Deuill if we want this armour wee shal surely be slaine of Sathan This faith is the light of the body which who so hath Mat 6.22 not walketh still in darkenes not knowing whither he goeth This faith is
is good honest that is vertue Vertue saith one is a strong castle that can neuer be wonne a riuer that ne edeth no rowing a sea that moueth not a fire that quencheth not a tresure that neuer hath an end an army neuer ouercome a signe that neuer deceiueth a plaine waie that neuer faileth a sirupe that forthwith healeth a renowme that neuer perisheth Againe vertue in all workes is chiefly to be praised as the head foūtain chief iewel of all maner of riches Vertue aboue all things Vertue offereth her self to all that will receiue her doth or shuld purchase to men good wil friendship loue Vertue saith another is shut vp from no man that is willing to entertaine her shee receiueth all men gladly she calleth all sorts and sexes of men women kings Queenes seruants and bannished men she requireth neither house nor substance but is onely contented with the naked man Againe vertue exceedeth all earthly things for if liberty friends health wealth prosperitie fall from thee yet vertue will keepe thee company therfore vertue in aduesity is best tried Trauell therefore sayth one and take paines to spend thy life in the trade of vertue the pain is but short but thy vertue shall euer indure The waie of vertue is hard at the beginning but the path being once troden it shall seeme verie pleasant The lesse time that a man hath to liue the more earnestlie is the studie of vertue to be imbraced That person is not worthie to liue that will not studie to liue vertuouslie Vertue is praised of many but there are few that effectuallie follow it Men will put thēselues to pains for the attaining of anie thing saue vertue and honestie It is a great vertue to flie those things our selues which we reproue in others he that liueth vertuously in this life his soule shall haue rest with God These are the sayinges indeede of heathen men which onely had the light of nature to guide them whervnto now if we adde but this that this vertue whereof they speake must bee ioyned vnto faith then doubtlesse Vertue must be ioyned vnto faith their sayings are godly and sound and most worthy to bee imbraced of vs christians Otherwise without faith vertue will vanishe A similitude away as a smoake And as it is not possible to fill that vessell with wine that is already full with puddle water except wee first emtye the vessell no more is it possible that any one can haue true vertue abounding in him that hath not his hart first purged from vice and sinne by faith This was the cause that heathen men which wanted faith in Christ were not able to attaine vnto true vertue onely they sawe the shadow thereof in the glimmering light of nature the substance wherof was farre aboue them They were like vnto children which seeing the moon shining in a pool of Another similitude water seem to snatch after it to take her in their hands but assone as they trouble the water their endeuours are frustrated euen so those heathen men seemed stil to see vertue shining from heauen but assone as they troubled the waters of their vnderstanding to reach after it presently they were deceiued of their purposes Whosoeuer therefore will attaine vnto the schoole of vertue must haue faith the knowledge of Gods word to lead him thervnto Furthermore we must takeheed that we Gods word ioined with faith wyll bring vs to the schoole of vertue mixe not vice and vertue together for they can indeed no more agree then fire and water but my meaning is that we do not hide and couer ouer our vices with the cloake of vertue or rather hipocrisie for like as the eie cannot looke vpward and downeward Similitudes both at one time no more can the mind of man applie vice and vertue together And as in a paire of tables nothing may be well written before the blots and blurs be wiped out so Vertue cannot abide with anie except he first put away his vices according to the saying of a godlie father We cannot attaine vnto the kingdome of Vertue except we first shake of the yoke of vices This is the onely cause therfore why so many desire vertue so few attaine vnto it because few men will forgo for vertue sake that vice and sin which he best loueth Many perhaps will leaue for a time some The reason why we do desire vertue but yet not attaine vnto it certein vices because they would seeme to bee vertuous but when vertue commeth to be their guest one foule sin or other beats her backe againe One will leaue swearing drunkennes and such like another will forsake theft or stealing with the hande an other lying and falswitnes bearing but yet euery one of these will be either an idolater adulterer or vsurer and so still retaine one sin or other to chase vertue from them Thus leauing of some sinnes shall be a cloak vnto them to couer other more fouler vices to the end they maye seeme vnto the world vertuous and religīous But euen as iron A similitude clay cannot be tempered together no more can vice vertue agree together in any one man therfore it is wel said of one Either be as thou shewest or els shew thy selfe as thou art What a goodly shewe of vertue did that Mat. 19 2◠young man in the gospell make when hee told Christ that he had kept the law of God from his youth yet hee was not free from that foul vice of couetousnes But it is to be feared that there be many such nay tē times worse in our daies that wil couer couetousnes murther adultery extortion bribery the like vnder the pretensed vayle vizard Papistes vse religion as a vail to couer all impietie Exod. 3. 5. of vertue and religion Wherfore it is most necessary for al christians to know that true vertue which proceedeth from faith is a most holy thing therefore as Moses must put of his shoos before he might talke with God so must we cast from vs vice and sinne I meane the delight and continuance in any grosse sin be it neuer so pleasant or profitable vnto our fleshly nature before this heauenly gift of vertue wil harbour and remaine within vs. When Elias should ascend 2. King 2 13.14 vp into heauen he must first cast downe his mantle so doubtles no man cā be partaker of this true vertue before hee cast the garment of vice sin away from him specially the cloak of hipocrisie which is most worne of any garment in this land How oftē haue Many changes of apparell onelye hypocrisye neuer changed we seene new fashions and changes of apparell in this Countrie yet this garment doth remaine still vnaltered They that are ashamed to weare one sute of apparell two daies together are not ashamed to weare this old cloake of hipocrisie many yeeres Surely
among all other sinnes hypocrisie Hypocrisye the chiefest enemie to vertue is the most deadlyest enemy vnto vertue In vertue there may bee nothing counterfait for therein is the onely image of verity Therfore it is well sayde of S. Cyprian that it profiteth not to shew vertue in wordes to destroy it in deedes Vertue then doubtlest is a iewell of great worth for euen the wicked doo desire to haue it at leastwise couet to make shew to the world that they haue it because they would bee the better accounted of For like as a precious stone in a gold ring so shineth an heart that is setled Vertue best tried in aduersytie in vertue They therfore that will make shewe to the world that they haue vertue when it is not so are like vnto them that gilde gold vppon copper rings that their brauery may appeere for a little while but in a shorte time it weareth away Golde is tried by the touch and vertue by the continuance of it if it be counterfait in time of aduersity it will appeare That is true vertue in deede which hath bin tryed in the fire of tribulation as the gold in the furnace Nothing can easily corrupt a mind wholy dedicated to vertue As wormes will not eate the wood of cedar so nothing can hurt the soule possessed with vertue true vertue ioyned with faith doeth adorne the soule of man and causeth it to aspire vnto heauenly thinges Therefore doth Saint Peter say Ioyne vertue with your faith And Saint Paule saith Whatsoeuer thinges are true Phil. 4. 8. whatsoeuer thinges are honest what soeuer things are iust whatsoeuer thinges are pure whatsoeuer thinges appertayne vnto loue whatsoeuer things appertaine vnto good report if there be any vertue if there bee any prayse thinke on these thinges and then the God of peace shall bee with you But here wee may note by the way that this vertue in generall hath included in it many more particular branches then the Apostle Saint Peter hath linked together in his chaine which to intreat of at large would be very tedious therefore let this one word of S. Paule suffice for all whatsoeuer thing is of good report let that bee imbraced for a vertue onely I think it meet to speak something here of humilitie because as S. Gregory humility the keeper of vertue saith she is the keeper of vertue And God himself the giuer of faith al other vertues hath most respect vnto them that in humblenes of minde cast themselues downe before the presence of his maiestie For thus saith he that is high and excellent he that inhabiteth the eternity whose name Esay 57. 15. is the holy one I dwell in the high and holy places with him also that is of a humble and contrite spirite to reuiue the spirite of the humble and to giue life to them that are of a contrite hart But what is humilitie surely by the learned it is thus defined To be a vertue wherby wee doe acknowledge our owne weakenes A definition of humilitie vncleanes ioyned with the true feare of God whereby also we do keep our selues within the bounds and limits of our calling trusting in the diuine helpe not despising other instruments and meanes appointed of God but acknowledge the giftes of God in others as well as in our selues knowing that our indeuours cannot prosper without the blessing and helpe of God Moreouer Humilitie is to yeeld obedience vnto God correcting vs for our faultes and not to fret and fume against his maiesty Which thing S. Peter meaneth when he saith Humble your selues vnder the mightie hand of God and 1 Pet. 5 6 he shal exalt you in due time Humilitie among many other vertues is highly commēded in the scripture euen as the vice contrarie thereunto which is pride is vtterly condemned God resisteth the proude saith S. Iames giueth grace to the humble And Iam. 4 6 Prou. 29 23 Salomon saith The pride of a man shal bring him low but the humble in spirite shal inherite glorie Againe he saith Pride goeth before destruction an high mind before the Prou. 16.18 fall Hereof we haue many examples of such as haue beene brought vnto confusion by their pride and of many other that haue beene exalted by humilitie acording to this saying of Christ He that exalteth himselfe Luk. 14.11 shal be brought lowe but he that humbleth himselfe shal be exalted What got Lucifer and the other Angels by pride when they were not content with their first estate in heauen were they not 2 Pet. 2. 4. Iud 6 cast downe into the bottomlesse pit of hell where they are reserued in euerlasting chains vnto the iudgemente of the greate day Examples how God hath punished pride Now shal wee thinke that God woulde so seuerely punish pride in heauen and yet suffer proud men vnpunished here on earth Surely no they shall not goe altogether vnpunished in this world though their eternal punishmente bee also reserued till the Ester 7.10 iudgement of that great day Proude Haman when his pride was at the highest was hanged vpon a hie paire of gallowes of fiftie cubites hie Dan 4.30 Nabuchadnezar for his exceeding pride of hearte was fayne to eate grasse with beastes till his hayres were growen as Eagles feathers and his nailes like vnto birdes clawes Herode in all his pompe and pride Act. 12 23 when hee thought to bee honoured of the people as a God was immediately stroken of an Angell and eaten vp of crawling lice The like or farre greater punishment one day shall befall that proude beaste of Rome with seuen heades and ten hornes euen that Antychrist and child of perdition Reuel 17.7 whom the Lord shall consume with the spirite of his mouth and shall abolish with the brightnesse of his comming because in the great pride of his heart he exalteth himself 2 Thess 2 3 4. Antychrist the very picture of pride against all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he doth sit as God in the Temple of God shewing himselfe that hee is God Thus shall God cut of all the proud ones of the earth and their end shal be eternall confusion Salomon considering of the punnishment which the proude shal feele in hell seemeth Wised 5. 8. to note the talke that should passe between them there for then saith he they shall say one to another what hath pride profited vs or what profite hath the pompe of riches brought vs Wherefore seeing pride and arrogancy of hearte is so odious before God let vs the rather imbrace true humiliti so shall wee be beloued of God and men as one saith Humblenesse and lowlinesse of mind maketh a man highly in fauour with God meekenes of wordes maketh him to sinke into the harts of men Humility therefore for her excellency shoulde be the sister Humility the sister of true nobilitie of true nobilitie
very godly and zealous will aboue many other appeare in their liues and conuersation to be most dissolute wicked and vngodly Some of them will bee beastly adulterers some cruell extortioners some byting vsurers some false periurers some deceitfull coseners some mercilesse and without all compassion to the poore and needy and yet I say their talke shall bee sometimes and in some companie of Gods worde and religion It is therefore very wel It is better seeme ignorant then to boast of knowledge without practise Psal 50.16 noted of one who saith that it is better to seeme ignorant then to boast of knowledge without practise But what saith the eternal God vnto those talkers why takest thou my worde in thy mouth and hatest to be reformed The kingdome of God saith S. Paule is not in worde 1 Cor. 4.20 but in vertue and power they regarde not â— Pet. 1 5. this exhortation of Sainte Peter who bids them to ioine vnto their knowledge vertue temperaunce godlines and so forth they thinke not that the grace of God hath appeared to teach them to deny all vngodlines Tit. 2.11 and worldly lusts and to liue soberly righteously and godly in this present worlde they beleeue not that this is the will of God euen our sanctification that we should abstayne from fornication That euery 1 Thess 4.3 one shoulde possesse his vessell in honour and holinesse and not in the lustes of concupiscence as do the Gentiles which know not God that no man oppresse or defraude his brother in bargaining because the Lord is an auenger of all these thinges They feare not that saying of Saint Iames There shall bee iudgment mercilesse to him that sheweth no mercie and that mercy reioyceth Iam. 2.13 against iudgement In one worde they wilfully deceaue themselues and knowing they will not Ephes 5.5 knowe That no whoremonger nor vncleane person nor couetouse person which is an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ and of God And is not then the state of those to bee lamented aboue them that are ignorant for they shall bee beaten with many stripes because they Ignorance ioyned with obstinacy knowe their maisters will and doe it not whereas they that are ignorant if there bee not ioyned with it wilful obstinacie resistance Ignorance shall excuse none therefore not the mother of deuotion but of confusion of the truth shal be beate with fewer stripes but beaten they shall bee and not excused therefore let none pleade ignorance for ignorance is now knowen not to be the mother of deuotion but of errour and confusion Let vs aboue all thinges learne to Speculatiue knowledge naught worth with out practatiue knowe and that wee knowe let vs indeuour to put in practise Let vs no longer content our selues with speculatiue knowledge for it is practatiue knowledge that Saint Peter exhorteth vs vnto when hee saith Ioyne with your vertue knowledge euen the true knowledge of God in his Son Christ This is that knowledge which S. Paule Ephes 1.16.17.18.19 prayeth God to giue vnto the Ephesians when hee sayth I make mention of you in in my prayers that the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the father of glorie might giue vnto you the spirit of wisedome reuelation through the knowledge of him that the eyes of your vnderstanding may bee lightned that ye may knowe what the hope is of his calling and what the riches of his glorious inheritance is with the Saintes and what is the exceeding greatnes of his power towardes vs which beleeue according to the working of his mighty power And a little after he saith That ye may be able to comprehend 12.18 19 with all saints what is the bredth and length and depth and height and to know the loue of God which passeth knowledge that ye may be filled with all fulnesse of God This is that true knowledge whereunto S. Peter exborteth vs. The same thing againe meaneth S. Paule when he saith Brethren be not children in vnderstanding but as concerning malitiousnes be children but in vnderstanding knowledge bee of a ripe 1 Cor. 14 20. age We must therefore vse all meanes possible to increase our knowledge as reading and hearing of Gods worde read and preached vnto vs prayer vnto God for the Reading preaching meditating conferrence with the learned be speciall meanes to increase knowledge Prouer. 2 12. increase therof with often meditation theron conference with them that haue knoweledge and so forth yea we must know that this holy knowledge of Gods word and the misteries thereof is that treasure which wee must day lie seeke euen as Salomon exhorteth vs saying My son if thou wilt receiue my wordes and hide my commandementes within thee and cause thine eare to hearken vnto wisedome and incline thine heart vnto vnderstanding for if thou callest after 3. knowledge and criest for vnderstanding 4. if thou seekest her as siluer searchest for her as for treasures then thou shalt vnderstande the feare of the Lorde and find the knowledge of God For the Lorde giueth wisdome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderstanding Whereby also wee may note that this knowledge commeth not naturally but it is the Lorde that giueth this wisedome and knowledge Therefore Salomon bids vs to aske and seeke it at Gods hande and after he saith It is God that giueth wisedome and knowledge Knowledge must be craued of God by prayer Mat. 7.7 Trust in the Lord and leane not vnto thine owne wisedome as if he should say thinke not to vnderstand this knowledge by thine owne wisedome but by prayer from God and by vsing such meanes as hee hath appointed for the obtayning of the same Aske and ye shall haue saith Christ seeke and ye shall find knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you Againe Christ saith Search the Ioh. 5.39 scriptures for in them ye thinke to haue eternall life and they are they that testifie of mee The feare of the Lorde saith Salomon is the beginning of this knowledge The feare of the Lord the beginning of knowledge Prov. 1.7 who so findeth it doubtlesse findeth great treasure Therefore hee faith in his thirde chapter Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome and the man that getteth vnderstanding for 3.13 the marchandice thereof is better then the marchandise of Siluer and the gaine 14. thereof is better then Golde It is more precious then pearles and all thinges that 15 thou canst desire are not to bee compared vnto her length of daies is in her right hand 16. and in her left hande riches and glorie Her waies are waies of pleasure and al her pathes 17 prosperitie she is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her and blessed is hee that 18. receiueth her See see howe the holy Ghost doth compare vnderstanding wisedome and knowledge to a tree of life to golde
siluer pearles or precious stones Here then are most rare iewels for kinges Queenes and Rich Iewels for gentilitie to adorne themselues withall Princes for Lords Ladies and gentlemen to adorne and decke themselues withall yea and also for the poore and meaner sort to inrich themselues withal Why take we so much paynes to trauell by sea and by land from one ende of the worlde to the other for Gemmes and Iewelles and let lie the Iewell of all Iewelles the true vnderstanding We trauaile more for gold then for Gods word and knowledge of Gods word which Salomon saith is more precious then pearles and all Iewels that thou canst desire are not to bee compared to it No not the Iasper the Topace or the Chrisolite nor any precious stone whatsoeuer Beleeue mee Sainte Peter was a cunning workeman and a perfecte Ieweller S. Peter a cunning Ieweller that coulde chuse such a precious stone or rich pearle to beautifie and adorne his Chayne withall Surely that must needes The true knowledge of God more worth then a kings ransome The true practise of Gods word in the court doth giue light to all the cuntry People liue more by examples then by lawes bee a riche Chayne where one lincke of it is more worth then a Kinges raunsome O howe this rich Iewell the knowledge of Gods worde and the true practise thereof woulde make noble men and gentlemen Ladies and gentlewomen to shine in the court Surely the brightnesse of their vertue woulde giue a great light throughout this whole lande to others that haue a great desire to followe the fashions of the Courte for the worlde is come to this passe nowe a daies that wee liue more by examples then by good Lawes and preceptes this saying was neuer more verified then in our time Regis ad exemplum totus componitur Inferiours will followe their superiors orbis The whole world is giuen to followe the example of those that are aboue them in authoritie Let euery one therefore consider of his owne calling and studie to profite others by his example that depend vpon him let our lighte shine before men that others Mat. 5.16 seeing our good workes may glorifie God our heauenly father Especially let them that are called lightes leade other after them by their light of doctrine They that are called lightes ought to giue light vnto others Psal 1 32 9 and holy conuersation let the ministers of the Lord be clothed with righteousnes that the Saintes may sing with ioyfulnes Let vs labour by all meanes possible to encrease our knowledge by reading and meditating on the word of God which as Dauid saith must be a lanterne to our feet a Psal 116. 150. Coloss 3.16 light vnto our pathes Let the word of Christ dwel in vs plenteously in all wisedome teaching and admonishing one another as euery one hath obtayned more knowledge one then another that yee may bee blamelesse saith the Apostle and pure and the sonnes of God without rebuke in the mids of a naughtie and croked nation Phil. 2.15 among whome see that ye shine as lightes in the world Thus let euery one endeauour to make vse of that which hee knoweth for that No vertue to know much and do nothing is no vertue to knowe much and to do nothing but to practise that good which we haue learned is a vertue worthy of much prayse In vaine saith one is that long trauell in studie and learning where actuall experience doth not shew forth her fruites for learning knowledge is of good mē sought for and lodged euen in their breastes to this only end that they may therby know sinne and eschewe the same knowe vertue and attaine vnto it for if learning and knowledge be not applied heerevnto of them that haue it shee leaueth in them her whole dutie vndone Therefore Saint Peter saith Ioyne with 2. Pet 1. 5. Knowledge teacheth the way to vertue your vertue knowledge that is let knowledge teach you the way to vertue and by vertue and godlynes of life let it appeare that you haue knowledge Let knowledge vertue bee ioined together for they may not be separated as a generall or captaine is the directour of an whole host so reason lightened with true knowledge is the A similitude guide of mans life But here we are to note that euen in this knowledge whereof wee speake there is a meane to be kept for the prouerbe is Omne nimium vertitur in vitium euery too much is an euil and S. Paul saith Scientia inflat Knowledge puffeth men vp 1. Cor. 8. 1. Knowledge without humilitie puffeth men vp with pride 1. Cor. 2.2 with pride We must therefore keepe our knowledge within compasse and neuer desire more then is meete for vs to knowe Saint Paule though hee were excellent in knowledge yet he esteemed not to know anye thing saue Iesus Christ and him crucified Heereof might arise this saying Si Christum discis satis est si caetera nescis Si Christum nescis nihil est si caetera discis If To knowe Christ is the chiefest knowledge thou knowe Christ it skilleth not though thou bee ignoraunt in manye other thinges contrarywise if thou knowe not Christ all other knowledge in the world is to no purpose This caueat and admonition I thinke not to be vnnecessarie in these dayes of ours when as manie wanton wittes haue wandered abroad in the fields of their owne inuentions to seeke and search out for hidden and secrete thinges such as God hath not reuealed vnto vs in his worde yea they will not sticke to enquire what God did before the world was created forgetting in the meane while what their duties do require of themselues heere on earth nothing fearing that saying of Salomon Hee that searcheth out the secretes of Gods maiestye shall bee ouerwhelmed Wee must not enquire out of Gods secrecies more then is reuealed in his word with his glorye They remember not that Adam in seeking by tasting the forbiden fruite to knowe more then God would haue him to knowe was depriued of that excellent knowledge hee had before The same thing doubtlesse doth befall still vnto his posteritie that will not bee content with the knowledge of those deepe and heauenly misteryes of mans saluation reuealed vnto vs in the word of God but in seeking to know other thinges that pertaine Adam by seeking to know more then was meete was depriued of that knowledge he had before not vnto them they become verie fooles in those things which they ought to know Thus haue wee seene what an excellent thing learning and the true knowledge of God is and how we ought to applie the studie thereof to this end that wee might liue honestly godly and vertuously in this life where as wee doe knowe but in parte that so at length thorough the merits of Christ Iesus wee maye come to that life 1. Cor
13 12 where our knowledge shall bee perfited and our happines felicitie for euermore continued A Praier for the true knowledge of Gods worde O Most wise God and louing father which dwellest in the light that none without thy grace mercy in thy son Christ can attain vnto I heartely beseech thy diuine maiesty for Christ his sake to enlighten my mind vnderstanding with the bright beames of thy heauenlie light I meane with the trne and certein knowledge of thy most holy and blessed word that mine owne naturall blindnes and ignorance of my soule being driuen away I may the better see to walke without stumbling in the right path that leadeth vnto vertue O Lord aboue al things I beseech thee to grant me this grace that I may knowe thee to bee the true God and Iesus Chist whom thou hast sent to be the Sauiour of the world so shall I not onelie thereby auoide the errors of this life but also attaine vnto thy heauenlie kingdome to see thy light in the land of the liuing where there is no neede of the sun or of the moone for thy glory the brightnes of the lambe thy sonne Christ Iesus is the light thereof to whom with thee the holy Ghost bee all prayse and glory for euer Amen OF TEMPERANCE CHAP. 4. IT is not a thing obserued to no purpose that phisitions doo feele the pulses of their sicke patients whether they bee moderate or out of temper for thereby they giue a great iudgement of the state of them that are diseased Now looke howe mans body is distempered with sicknes euen so is the soule of man with sinne there are infinite diseases to disquiet the body and there are innumerable sinnes to grieue and torment the soule there is Phisicke appointed for the body and there is also Phisicke ordained for the soule the body many times for want of timely Phisicke is in great danger of death by sicknes so is the soule of man by sinne Much money giuen for helth of bodye but phisicke for the soule is little regarded the body oftentimes is recouered when Phisicke is applied and so is the soule of man if shee receiue that Phisicke which is appointed for her onelie heerein is a difference when wee are sicke in our bodies by diseases wee will giue any money to haue health but will suffer our soules to bee verie extreamlie sicke and almost at point of death with sinne and neuer care to seeke for health nay wee will scarce receiue Phisicke for our soules though it bee brought home vnto vs freely without money without penny or penny worth Euen as the prophet Esaie complaineth of the Iewes that refused to receiue the grace of God which Esay 55.1.2 was offered vnto them freely without monie but were willing to laie out their siluer for that which was nought worth wherewith they could not be satisfied What maruell then is it that the sinfull soule of man is so distempered and out of order insomuch that the beating of her pulses may bee perceiued with out feeling Now of all sicknesses the sicknes of intemperācy is the worst for it greatlie anoyeth in time destroyeth Intemperancy a dāgerous disease of the soule both the health of soule and bodie it also maketh the bodie vnapt for any labor and it hindereth the soule from all vertue wherof we haue but too many examples S. Peter therefore knowing the great hurte which commeth vnto man by intemperancie exhorteth vs to make much of the vertue contrary thervnto called temperance or sobriety and to the end wee should regard it the better he linkes the same to his chaine saying Ioyne with your faith vertue with vertue knowledge with knowledge temperāce Temperance therefore without al question 2. Pet. 1.5 is a worthy vertue otherwise it shoulde not haue bin ioyned with these other Iewels of faith knowledge and the rest But what is temperance Temperance or sobrietie sayeth one is a vertue which doth moderate the appetites and desires of meate drinke and other thinges which What temperance is man maye lawefullie vse so that neither prayer meditation studying or labouring in our vocation bee hindered with the excesse thereof neyther our naturall sleepe nor health of our bodyes hurted for want of that which is sufficient so it seemeth that temperance is a keeper of a meane in euerie thing And euen as in tunes or A similitude singing without the meane there can bee no good melodye so in the gouernment of our life without sobrietie or temperance euerie thing will bee disordered Where Temperance ruleth not there is gluttonie surfetting drunkennes luxuriousnes and all kind of wickednes Where Temperance beareth swaye there the health of the bodie is preserued there also the soule of man is at libertie to reade to praye to studie to meditate to take counsell Temperance a worthy vertue to giue counsell to gouerne all the affayers of this life Where temperance is there is shamefastnes there is honesty there is chastitie there is modestie there is humilitie there is moderation and good order kept in discerning what ought to bee done howe it ought to bee done and what ought to be left vndone By temperance wee auoyde many sicknesses of the body and many diseases of the soule Who then would not bee in loue with temperance Temperance saith one is a noble Vertue and chiefely appertaineth to the honorable state of mankind whereby the princely gouernour reason which raigneth as king in man is known to beare sway in man wherby all his things are tempered and ordered and thereby differeth from brute beastes Temperance is an enimy to luste and lust is a wayting seruant vnto bodily pleasure Temperance calleth a man backe srom all wicked lustes and carnall appetites and suffereth him not to exceede in foolishe reioycing nor in vngodlie sorrowing He is to be called a temperate and moderate person saith one which not onelie Who is a temperate man doth keepe vnder his wanton and corrupt affects but so endeuoreth also himfelfe that in his country he is chargeable to no man to no man cruell or grieuous neither to anie man dangerous Temperance therefore is a moderatrixe which causeth vs to keepe 2 decorum in euerie thing Vntemperate youth full of carnall affections quickelie turneth the bodye into age to bee full of infirmityes foule and feeble When the vnbridled carcasse or foule fleshe of man is not well tempred or discreetly ruled but ouermuch cherished set at liberty and pampered then is the soule the lesse regarded or looked vpon but abideth in most deformed Where the body is too much pampered there the soule is the lesse regarded A similie state and miserable and the more delicatly the body is handled the more stubbornely it wrestleth against the minde and doth cast it of euen as a horse too well cherished vseth to cast off his rider If we could therefore consider the excellency of mans
nature and the dignity thereof wee should wel perceiue how foule dishonest a thing it is to be resolued into letcherie immoderate eating and drinking and to liue loosly and wantonly and on the contrary howe honest fayre and commendable a thing it is to liue continently temperatly sadly and soberly But if we could step a degree farther and consider now not what excellency man is of by nature but whereunto wee are called by grace then doubtlesse wee should be ashamed of those foule vices which wee daylie commit and giue our selues more to temperance sobrietie chastity the like which are the true ornaments of christianitie Vnto this temperance and sobrietie the scripture doth verie earnestly exhort vs and diswade vs from the vices contrary thereunto The grace of God saith Saint Paule Tit. 2. 11 Sobrietie a chiefe ornament of christianity Rom. 13.11 hath appeared to this end to teach vs to denie all vngodlines and worldly lustes and to liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world Therefore he saith in another place The night is past the day is at hand let vs therfore cast away the works of darknes and let vs put on the armour of light so that wee walke honestly as in the day not in gluttony and drunkennes neyther in chambering wantonnes neither in strife enuying but put yee on the Lord Iesus Christ and make no prouision to fulfill the lusts of the flesh Againe among the manyfold fruits of the spirite which the Apostle Saint Paule Gal 5 23 reckoneth vp hee nameth temperance for one The fruites of the spirit are ioy peace meeknes temperance against such there is no lawe And when Saint Peter would exhorte vs vnto holynes hee first of all exhorteth vs vnto temperance and sobernes saying Bee sober and trust perfectly in 1. Pet. 1.13 the grace of God and so foorth And then presentlie addeth Bee yee holy as God is holy Againe putting vs in minde of the day of iudgment and that we should take heed of Sathan hee saith Be ye sober and watch and Bee ye sober and watchfull vnto prayer 4.7 5.8 Meaning that there can bee neither prayer nor watchfulnes without sobriety and temperance And indeede who findeth not by experience that when the fleshe is pampered vp then drowsie sleepines and Intēperancy an enimy to study all good exercyses sluggishnes commeth vppon vs and makeeth vs vnapt to studie prayer or anie good exercise For this cause hath it beene the manner of the church of God in all ages whensoeuer they woulde giue themselues to holy exercyses presently to commaund a godly and religious fast not from flesh onely as the papists do but from all kinde Godly fasting a good helpe vnto praier of meates to the end they maye the more deuoutly serue God So likewise doth our Sauiour Christe commend vnto vs abstience sobrietie and temperance when hee Mat. 26.41 commaundeth vs to watch and praye least wee fall into temptation And aboue all thinges to take heed that our heartes bee not ouercome with surfetting and drunkennesse Luk. 21 34. and cares of this life and so suffer the day of iudgement to come vppon vs vnawares Oh that the beastly belly Gods and drowsie drunckardes of our dayes which Esay 28.1 sitte quaffing from morning till night woulde sometimes call to theyr remembrance this admonition and forewarning of our Sauiour who telleth them plainely that the daye of iudgement shall come vppon them as a snare if they continue Luk 21.35 in their beastlines But what reckoning make they of the daye of iudgement Are not they the very mockers and scoffers Belly Gods and drunkerds make a mocke of the day of iudgment 2. Pet. 3.3 which Saint Peter fore-prophesied should come in this last age of the world that in derision of God and al godlines say where is the promise of Christes comming vnto iudgement because they see the continuance of the world as yet therefore they imagine that it shall neuer haue an end not considering that one daie is with the Lord as a thousand yeeres and a thousand yeares as one daye that it is as easie for the Lord to destroy the world with fire as it was to make the same of nothing and to destroy it again with water that the Lord is not slacke concerning his promise as some men count slacknes but is patient toward vs and would haue no man to perishe but wold all men come to the knowledge of his truth Howsoeuer these wicked mockers according to the hardnes of their heartes Rom. 2. 5. which cannot repente heape vnto themselues wrath against the daye of wrath and declaration of the iust iudgement of God O consider this all yee that forget God least hee teare you in peeces and there be Psal 50.22 none to helpe for surelye as Saint Peter saith the daye of the Lord will come how sone the Lord knoweth and farre of it cannot 2. Pet. 3.10.11.12 be as a theefe in the night in the which the heauens shal passe away in noise and the elements shall melt with heat and the earth with the workes that are therein shall bee burnt vp Seeing therefore that all these thinges must bee dissolued what manner persons ought we to be in holy conuersation and godlynes Wherefore let vs take heed of surfeting drunkennes the cares of this life al which now a daies are scarcely Surfetting and drunkennes scarce coūted for sins counted for sinnes least the day of iudgement come vpon vs to our euerlasting destruction Aboue al let vs make much of sobriety temperance for if we would keepe our selues our soules and bodyes in temperance chastitie and sobrietie surely neither the daye of iudgment nor the daye of our own death should euer ouertake vs sodainlie Let vs remember that Saint Peter biddeth vs to ioyne with our knowledge temperance Temperance doubtlesse is a vertue much to be sought for without it we are more like beasts then men Shee is both a necessarie and profitable seruant What saye I a seruant nay shee should bee our mistres yet truely such is the intemperancy of our time that shee would Tēperance both a necessarie and profitable seruant thinke her selfe happie if shee might haue any office in our houses she would serue for little or no wages yet would shee saue yerelie in some houses inough to paye the wages of all the rest of the seruants Shee cares not what office she had so she might be curteouslie entertained shee would be cooke but gluttonie will not suffer her to come into kitchin she would be panterer but shee cannot haue the chippinges for her labour so little is she accounted of she would be in the Seller to drawe beere wine but drunkennes will not suffer her to be quiet shee woulde come to bee her misters chamber-maide to put on her apparrell seemely about Tēperance fit for euerie office
in christendome France Germany and many other countries may be produced for witnesses yea I am perswaded that the King of Spaine himselfe which at this day is content to be in this respect at the Popes command to runne to go to fight when he bids him woulde also confesse this The Spanish cleargy the drudges of popery truth if he were not affraide of his cleargy the very drudges of Popery The Turkes and Sarasens neede not trouble themselues to make warre against Christendome for wee haue them that by name and profession are Christians which doe trauel in paine as a woman ready to be deliuered till they heare or see all christendome together by the eares But let Spaine aboue all take heede lest while they prepare A good caueat for Spaine their forces to fight against christians their countrie be ouerthrowen by Turkes and Barbarians And as for that beaste of Rome and the Cittie and country thereof which a long The iudgement of the whore time haue fed and pampered such a blouddy beast and beastly whore Let her I say assuredly knowe that her sinnes are come Reuel 18.5 vp into heauen and God hath remembred her iniquities and will rewarde her as shee hath rewarded other and giue her double according to her workes and in the cuppe which she hath filled to other shall bee filled to her the double In as much as she hath glorified her self liued in pleasure so much shal she haue torment and sorrowe for she saith in her harte I sit as a Queene and am no widdow and shall see no mourning Therefore shall her plagues come at one day death and sorrow Ver. 8. When God iudgeth there is no end of torment and famine and she shal be burnt with fire for strong is the Lorde God that will condemne her Yea God doth dayly destroy her with the breath of his mouth but shal vtterly abolish her at the brightnes of his comming which 2. Thess 2 8 shal be at the day of iudgement And that this day is at hande this is not one of the least signes that nation shal rise against nation kingdome against kingdom as now is to be seene in christendome that Tokens that the day of iudgement is at hand brotherly loue kindnes among christian nations is waxen colde iniquitie abounding euen as our sauiour foretolde shoulde come to passe before the end of the world Therefore let all the wicked ones of the Mat. 24.7.12 world specially they that haue receiued the marke of the beaste in their right Reue. 13.16 hand or in their foreheade howle crie and weepe for the iudgement of the great day is comming But O heauen reioyce of this 18.20 and ye holy Apostles and prophets martirs for God hath giuen you iudgement vpon The godly reioyce for the iudgement of the whore Luk. 21.28 the beast and let all the godly and faithfull people in the worlde bee glad and lift vp their heades with ioy because their redemption draweth neare Thus haue wee seene howe the bondes of brotherly loue and kindnes are broken and rent asunder throughout all the landes of christendom And I would to God ther were no breach of this brotherly loue and kindenes among those christians which liue together in one land vnder one christian Prince hauing all one God one faith one baptisme one true religion that we would walke worthy Contentions among Christians lamentable Ephes 4. 1 2 3 4 5.6 of the vocation whereunto wee are called in all humblenes of mind and meeknes with long suffering supporting one the other through loue endeuouring to keep the vnity of the spirite in the bonde of peace euen as we are called in one hope of our calling and that wee woulde all speake one thing that there were no dissentions among vs but 1 Cor. 1.10 that wee woulde bee knit together in one mind and in one iudgement So should God be glorified so should all our Princes good and godly lawes be obeyed The fruit of Christian concord so should the mouthes of our aduersaries bee stopped so shoulde vertue florish and righteousnes should looke downe from heauen vpon vs so should Sion reioyce and Israel would be glad to see brotherly kindnes maintayned among vs. God is not the authour Galat. 6 16 of confusion but of peace and as many as follow this rule the God of loue and peace bee with them Amen A Prayer for brotherly kindnes O Most wise and mightie creator Lord of heauen and earth who by thine infinite wisedome hast knit mankind together in a most wonderfull order to this end that wee shoulde shew all frendlines and brotherly kindnes one to the other and as in all other liuing creatures of this worlde so specially in man thou didst at the beginning infuse into his breaste this secreat force of nature that we should like and liue together in godly fellowship societie among our selues but so it hath fallen out by reason of sinne the malice of Sathan that as in all other good things so especially in this we do degenerate and grow out of kind one man careth not for another but eueryman for himselfe selfeloue is strong and headdy but brotherly kindnesse weake decayed Therefore good Lord I beseech thee renew agayne in me and in all people by the benefite of grace that which we haue lost by sinne and corruption that as we are all brothers by creation so all nations if it be thy will may shew natural kindnes one to the other but specially graunt grace O Lord to me al Christians that as we are nowe knit together againe by a more neerer bond of religion christianitie so we may shew our selues in all dutifull kindnes to be the children of one God members of one bodie heyres and coheyres with Christ Iesus of eternall saluation purchased vnto vs by his death and passion to whom with God the Father God the holy Ghost bee all praise and glory for euer Amen Of Loue or Cheritie Chap. 8. IT is the manner of cunning and curious golde-sinithes that worke onely vpon fine and pure gold euermore to put vnto their worke some priuie signe or marke whereby they will know their owne doinges from others that vse not so fine gold as they doe The very same thing in a sorte our skilfull and perfect workeman Sainte Peter seemeth to doe in this excellent peece of worke now in hand he hath beaten out all his linckes of the purest and finest golde hee hath so curiously lincked one lincke in the other riuited the same fast with the hammer of Gods worde that it cannot bee perceiued where the soldering is Now being about Saint Peters chaine made all of pure gold to finish his chaine he addeth this last linck of loue vnto it which serueth him as a priuie signe or marke to know this chaine made all of purified gold from all
blessednesse of the righteous and godly 1. Tim. 4 8. that they haue as Saint Paule sayth the promise of this life and that that is to come The eight and twentie Chapter of Deuteronomic is ful of those blessings which the godly shall haue and of the curses that shall Deu. 28.2 fall vppon the wicked All these blessinges shall fall vppon thee and ouertake thee if 3. thou be godly Blessed shalt thou be in the 4. Cittie and in the field Blessed shall bee the 5. fruite of thy bodye and the fruite of thy ground the fruite of thy Cattell the increase 6. of thy Kine and the flockes of thy sheepe Blessed shall be thy basket and thy dough Blessed shalt thou bee when thou commest in and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out c. Then turning to the wicked and vngodly hee sayth Cursed shalt thou bee in the Vers 16. Cittie and in the fielde Cursed shall be thy basket and thy dough Cursed shall bee the 17. fruite of the bodye and of thy land the increase 18. of thy Kine and the flockes of thy sheepe Cursed also when thou commest in and cursed also when thou goest out and 19. so forth The same thing doth Dauid shewe in the first Psalme when hee saith that the Psal 1. 3. Godly shall bee like a tree planted by the riuers side that will bring forth her fruite in due season his leafe shall neuer fade looke whatsoeuer he doth it shall prosper but contrariwise he saith The wicked shall verse 4. bee nothing so but they are like the chaffe which the winde scattereth away from the face of the earth therefore the wicked shall not stand in iudgement nor the vngodly 5. in the assemblye of the righteous for the Lorde knoweth the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked shall perish So likewise Salomon saith Blessings 6. are vpon the head of the righteous but iniquitie Prou. 10.6 shal couer the heade of the wicked The memoriall of the righteous shall bee blessed but the name of the wicked shall 7 rotte Therefore Dauid saith againe the Psal 11. 5 Lord will trie the righteous but the wicked and him that loueth iniquitie doth his soule abhorre Againe hee saith vpon the wicked God shall raine snares fire and brimstone 6. storme and tempest this shall bee their Gene. 19.24 portion to drinke Which thing wee know hee did vppon the beastly and wicked Sodomites and the Cittyes there about Neyther shall the punishmente of the wicked and saith Dauid in this life but the Psal 9. 17. No end of punishment to the wicked neither in this life nor in the life to come wicked after this life shall bee turned into hell and all the people that forget God O then beloued sith the case is so that the godly are so exceedingly blessed both here and for euer and the wicked so miserably accursed in this life and in the life to come let vs speedily forsake our sins wickednes lest Gods curses come speedily vpon vs and let vs assuredly knowe that if we feare God and loue godlinesse wee shall bee blessed a thousand fold whereof wee haue many examples in the scriptures of such as for their faith and godlinesse haue beene blessed before vs. Abell for his faith and godlinesse his Examples of such as God hath blessed for their faith and godlines Gene 4.4 5.24 7.1 offering was accepted of God when cursed Caynes was reiected God himselfe giuing testimony with Abell that hee was righteous Enoch for his faith and holinesse was taken vp into heauen for he was reported of that he had pleased God Noah for his faith and godlinesse was saued in the Arke when all the world besides except his familie perished in the water Lot seruing God among wicked and vngodly 19.16 people was saued aliue when Sodom and Gomorra were burned with fire and brimestone Abraham for his faith and godlinesse 12 2.3 was blessed of God aboue all them that liued before him So Isaak Iacob and the Patriarkes Heb. 11.9 heyres with him of the same blessing What should we speake of Elias Elisha Samuel and all the rest of the prophets which for their faith and godlines are so renowned in the scripture What shoulde I Luk 1.6 make mention of Zacharias the father and Iohn Baptist the sonne the one is saide to Mat. 11.11 Luk 2.25 Act. 10.2 6.5 2 Cer. 1 12. 4.2 1 Thess 2.10 Women also commended for their faith godlines 2. Pet. 3.5 Gen. 27.46 Exod. 15.20 Iud 5 1 Ester 4 16 Luk. 1 6 1 30. be iust before God walking in all the commandementes of God without reproofe the other that hee was the chiefest among womens children Adde hereunto holy Simeon good Cornelius Saint Stephen Saint Paule and all the rest of the Apostles of whom as Saint Paule saith The worlde was witnesse and God also howe holily howe iustly and vnblameably they walked before God And not onely doth the scripture commend men but womeÌ„ also for their faith godlines as Saraa Rebecca MyriaÌ„ Debora Ester Elizabeth the virgin Mary Martha and Mary the sisters of Lazarus Marye Ioh. 11.5 Luk. 8.3 Mark 16.1 Act. 9. â—9 14. 14.15 2 Tim. 2.1.5 Act. 18.2 Rom. 1 6. Magdalene and Ioanna the wife Chusa Herodes stewarde Susanna and many others which ministred vnto Christ of their substaunce Mary the mother of Iames and Salome and others that bestowed cost on Iesus being deade of Dorcas Lydia Lois and Eunice the grandmother mother of Tymothie of Priscilla Phebe and the elect Lady to whom 2 Ioh. 1. Iohn writeth with infinite other which to repeate at large woulde be more tedious then profitable All these both men women haue beene wonderfully blessed of God for their faith for their holines for their religion for their zeale and godlinesse and are most worthy examples for vs to followe of what calling sexe or degree soeuer wee God wil blesse them that be godly bee If wee be faithfull holy zealous religious and godly as they were then surely God will blesse vs as hee did them For God is one and the same stil I am God saith hee I chaunge not in euerie nation Mala. 3.6 Act. 10.35 hee that feareth God and worketh righteousnes is accepted with him who will rewarde euery one according as hee sheweth forth his faith by his good workes That is as saith Sainte Paule to them Rom. 2. 7 which by continuance in well doing seeke glorie and honour and immortalitie eternall life but vnto them that are contentious 8 and disobey the truth and obey vnrighteousnesse shall bee indignation and wrath Tribulation and anguish shall be vpon euery foule that doth euil 9. vpon the Iew first and also the Gentile but to euery man that doth good shall bee 10 glorie and honour